Those of us in the Northeast enjoyed a beautiful couple of days this past weekend. As this wild and snowy winter comes to a close, spring fever will come hard and fast.

I usually recommend some vigorous raking of the lawn around this time of year, even some dethatching once the temperatures come up a little more. In a conventionally maintained lawn there is the assumption of a spring application of pre-emergent weed control to prevent early spring crabgrass germination.

However, Paul Tukey's recent blog over at Safelawns.org reminds us that an organically maintained lawn is a slightly different creature. Raking the lawn in the spring stirs up crabgrass seeds, giving them the advantage at a time when the lawn is not active enough to compete.

Corn gluten meal can be used as an organic alternative to chemical pre-emergent crabgrass control, but it doesn't quite deliver the same results and the lawn would probably be better off without an early spring raking.

If you must get out there and rake your organically maintained lawn you should overseed as well. Stirring up those crabgrass seeds are all they need to warm up and begin to germinate.

Spring routines can differ between organic and conventionally maintained lawns originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 18:57:17.

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It never ceases to amaze me when I see lawn care products like weed killer and grub control available for sale to the general public. Products containing 2,4-D, dicamba acid, carfentrazone-ethyl, imidacloprid, and trichlorfon. These are serious chemicals!

These chemicals are so serious that green industry professionals (such as myself) throughout North America need to be licensed to purchase and use them. We are required to attend classes, write tests, maintain certification, and keep thorough records of every drop used. Some of us are required post signs and to go door to door notifying neighbors days in advance of any pesticide application.

Even with all these precautions the use of many of these chemicals is very risky and arguably unnecessary. They are linked with health risks, environmental damage, and contaminated groundwater. Pesticide bans are in effect throughout Canada and their use is being questioned on a local level throughout the US.

Yet there they are. Available for everyone at their local big box store. No license needed. No re-certification credits needed. No problem. Pallets of fertilizer laced with weed killer. Insecticides, herbicides. Liquid form, granular. There's preventive pesticides, there's curative pesticides. There are pesticides for the pests that take over from the ones you killed.

Now, I don't want to blow this out of proportion. Often the active ingredient in the commercial version of a pesticide is much more concentrated than homeowner versions. Commercial grade pesticides can be more dangerous to handle and easier to over apply or make errors. However, the notion that the homeowner version is somehow safer because it's diluted doesn't make sense. The product still gets used.

It just doesn't make sense.

What are you putting on your grass? originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 21:49:25.

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With record snowfalls across much of North America this winter, snow mold is likely to be present on many lawns as the snow melts in the early spring. Snow mold can occur when there is an extended period of snow cover on ground that is not completely frozen.

Either pink or gray snow mold can occur, sometimes both of them together. Pink snow mold can cause a little more damage to the grass than gray snow mold, but they are both relatively benign in the scope of things that can kill your lawn.

If you find snow mold on your lawn this spring, don't worry about it. Rake it out a bit, try and get the sun on it and it should be gone in a couple of weeks. If the damage is extensive, you can repair the area like a bare patch.

Read more about snow mold:

Snow Mold

photo © flickr user noricum

Don't stress over snow mold originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 21:30:56.

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A couple of weeks ago I was strolling the trade show floor at New England Grows looking for something new and interesting when I came across the Grass Stitcher and it's enthusiastic inventor Frank Catalano. I was immediately interested in this product.

As soon as I saw the Grass Stitcher I thought, "Dang, why didn't I think of that"

What drew me to the product was the fact that I have recommended the use of similarly styled cultivators for the purpose of repairing bare patches. I even did a product review of the Garden Cultivator by Hound Dog solely based on using it as a lawn repair tool. While garden cultivators can be a suitable tool for some lawn repairs, they are cultivators first and mostly just break up the surface of the soil. The Grass Stitcher is designed specifically for making lawn repairs.

The cultivator comparisons quickly evaporated as I inspected the Grass Stitcher more closely and listened to Frank explain it's functions. The Grass Stitcher is most definitely not a garden cultivator, it is a specialized lawn repair tool and a solid one at that. I especially like the adjustable handle and the foot step which takes advantage of your body's weight and leverage to make seed bed preparations easy in all soil types and conditions.

So far my fascination with the Grass Stitcher is based on inventor envy and what I think the product can do. I'm going to have to wait until spring to put it to the test. I plan on using it along some salt damaged walkways and the compacted path I've worn across my lawn which is the shortest path to my car on cold mornings. Spring cannot come soon enough!

Look out for the product review of the Grass Stitcher this spring.

Grass Stitcher aims to make repairing a lawn easy and effective every time originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 20:56:31.

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In the most simple, common sense legislation I've ever come across, Health Canada has decided to no longer allow the coupling of pesticide and fertilizer combination products, commonly known as weed 'n feed. It's kind of a federal stamp-of-approval on the trend of banning all cosmetic herbicides that has swept many provinces and municipalities, without actually going that far.

Weed 'n feed is an herbicide and fertilizer combination product that is supposed to kill weeds and feed the grass at the same time. However, the timing of fertilizer applications generally does not coincide with the timing of killing weeds. Also, the herbicide ends up being applied to the entire lawn often to areas it is not needed. Fertilizers and herbicides are two very different products and combining them is not sound turf management. Weed 'n feed just doesn't make sense.

The scope of the ban is massive and includes all "fine turf" including all residential, commercial, and recreational turf, including golf courses (who are usually exempt from pesticide laws). I believe this is because weed 'n feed is that unnecessary. Weed 'n feed is a perfect example of lawn care companies marketing a bad product. With the lure of convenience and the assurance of the clever marketing, the consumer uses products that are not agronomically sound.

Notice the legislation avoids the lightning rod of health risks, instead reasoning that weed 'n feed products "do not support the goals of best practices for pest management in turf". It's brilliant and it's the truth.

Re-evaluation Note REV2010-01, Uncoupling of Fertilizer-Pesticide Combination Products for Lawn and Turf Uses

Canada bans all weed 'n feed products originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 21:22:42.

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Lawn care is all about good habits. A habit is a regular tendency or practice that is often hard to give up. When good lawn care habits are established you won't even realize your doing them.

I've come up with five habits that I think could be the backbone of a responsible lawn care program. Whether you keep a highly manicured lawn or a low maintenance lawn, use conventional fertilizers and pesticides or grow an organic lawn, these habits are simple enough to fit any lawn care regimen.

Great lawn care habit number one is to mow the lawn as high as possible. Some southern lawns just can't grow very high so this habit is mostly applicable to the northern lawns consisting of bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass mixes.

It may seem odd at first to grow a lawn to 3 1/2 inches but it is the most critical element of my lawn care program. Long grass can withstand drought conditions better than short lawns and out-compete weeds for territory. The longer grass blade not only allows for increased photosynthesis, the lawn will also become more dense, lush, and green.

Read about all the great lawn care habits:

5 Great Lawn Care Habits

5 Great Lawn Care Habits originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 19:46:28.

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Lawn care giant Scotts/MiracleGro has announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with Major League Baseball. In hopes of staying on top of the 9.6 billion dollar US lawn care market, Scotts/MiracleGro will use MLB licensing to sell seed, fertilizer and use baseball themed advertising to appeal to the desire of Americans to emulate the conditions of their favorite ballpark.

Soon you will be able to buy the same seed blends used in Fenway Park or Wrigley Field and you will be on your way to your own lush, field of dreams. It won't end at the seed though, there will likely be a whole program including fertilizer and pesticides and it will all be packaged in an easy to follow multi-step process.

Although I disagree with the whole concept, it is more marketing genius from Scotts/MiracleGro, who have already reduced lawn care to a thoughtless four-step program with little regard for the health of the soil, plant, or consumer. Preying on the fantasies of suburbia's quest for the perfect lawn causes more harm than good as more and more synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides get applied to lawns in a wasteful attempt at an unnecessary goal.

What really surprises me is that a deal like this has not happened already. It's a match made in marketing heaven. Why stop at baseball, why not football, soccer, golf, or famous parks like Central Park or Boston Common?

The truth is that these ballparks are maintained by professional turfgrass managers and no product can re-create their practices or knowledge. The turf is on a high tech maintenance regimen including frequent aerating and re-sodding, a comprehensive fungicide program, and a budget that exceeds the cost of most homes. It is extremely unrealistic for a homeowner to think that the conditions of a professional ball park can be replicated at home just from buying products with the logo of their favorite baseball team. It is brilliant marketing and little more.

Read the article:
Scotts strikes sponsorship deal with baseball

Scotts and Major League Baseball team up originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 19:50:38.

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Lawns take a lot of abuse. Both physically and mentally. Of course lawns don't feel the mental abuse, but the people who love and tend to them do.

Lawns have been accused of everything from polluting the environment to causing cancer. Lawns are regularly persecuted for being unruly monocultures with an unquenchable thirst for water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Lawns did not invite any of this upon themselves, in fact, they would be much healthier and happier growing naturally. But nooooooo.

Like everything else in life, lawns have become commodified. Every year, billions of dollars are spent on lawns and it can be difficult to see through the barrage of advertising for all things lawn care. Making money is the primary function of any company, so it's no surprise to see a business sell products that mask problems and create new ones (for which there happens to be another product for). Homeowners and lawn care professionals alike can get hooked on the routine of applying chemicals to sustain an artificial life support system for barely thriving grass.

How can lawns avoid the judgment cast down on them by their critics? The people who love and tend to them must be aware of the impact of every item put on a lawn. This includes but is not limited to; choosing the right grass species for the climate and location, having the soil tested, watering wisely, fertilizing with extreme care and at the proper rate, and limiting or eliminating the use of pesticides by implementing an IPM program. Better yet, go organic. Especially if your lawn is host to children and pets.

Lawns take a lot of abuse but they're pretty to look at, they provide greenspace in urban areas, absorb noise pollution, filter and reduce runoff, and remove CO2 from the air replacing it with oxygen. Lawns provide a natural, living surface for playing games, entertaining, and relaxing. A natural, healthy lawn is teeming with life and is a unique ecosystem that lends itself well to being maintained and cared for. Lawns are good for the human spirit.

Lawns are good for the environment (if taken care of properly) originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 20:55:31.

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The organic movement has, and will always have, a significant amount of push back. It comes from many different sources but usually it's from chemical manufacturers, and their paid lobbyists and advocates. They argue that their products are irreplaceable and losing them would result in millions of dollars in crop loss and outbreaks of pests and diseases (I know this because I get spam from one fervent herbicide devotee on a weekly basis).

As the danger of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers becomes more widely know and the demand for natural products increases, so to does the research and innovation into natural alternatives. A scientist from Tel Aviv University's Department of Plant Sciences has harnessed the power of scorpion venom and hopes to develop a natural and safe insecticide as a result.

From the article:

Prof. Gurevitz says that some neurotoxins in the scorpion are highly active against some insects -- leaf-eating moths, locusts, flies and beetles -- but have no effect on beneficial insects like honeybees or on mammals like humans. He continues to pursue an effective mode of delivery for what could be a new insecticide.

The increasing demand for natural products will ultimately drive the quest for such alternatives to dangerous chemical pesticides. Even the villainous chemical companies will be involved if there's money to be made. Let's just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Read the article:

A Deadly Scorpion Provides a Safe Pesticide

More about organic lawn care

Organic pesticides come from innovation originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 20:38:20.

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Approximately 85, 000 Homelite Mighty Lite backpack blowers sold across the United States from September 2007 through October 2009 have been recalled. The fuel tank can leak gasoline, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Homelite has received 18 reports of fuel tanks leaking gasoline including
one report of minor skin irritation.

Owners of models UT08580 and UT08580A are to stop using the blower immediately and contact Homelite at 800-242-4672 or go to www.homelite.com to schedule a free fuel-tank replacement. The model number and manufacturing date code are printed on the blower's data label located on the red plastic housing above the choke knob and adjacent to the fuel tank. Products with a green "dot" on the outside of the package or the letters "CA" embossed on the fuel tank are not included in the recall.

For more information go to www.homelite.com

Homelite backpack blower recall originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 20:58:39.

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Happy New Year! Surely 2010 will be a year of great expectations in the face of enormous challenges. Lawn care may seem insignificant next to other lofty topics, but it very much ties in with current environmental challenges.

In 2010 water woes will continue, resulting in it being illegal or highly frowned upon to water a lawn (in the old gluttonous fashion). Be sure to select the appropriate grass species for your climate and use drought tolerant, native species wherever possible. For the most efficient use of water have a professional install an automatic sprinkler system enabling you to water at the proper time and with the proper amount of water. In extreme circumstances it may be more prudent to plant lawn alternatives like moss, or xeriscaping.

Another trend that will continue to grow is the "green" movement. Green is everywhere lately and lawn care is no exception. As more people discover the lack of perceived benefits in using synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, the organic lawn care movement will continue to grow. Organizations like Safelawns.org are spearheading the delivery of knowledge and the subsequent grassroots action resulting in pesticide bans throughout Canada and the United States. People are waking up to the reality of groundwater contamination and the health risks associated with synthetic, chemical, lawn care products.

These two trends may be seen as limiting factors but they are actually an opportunity. An opportunity to learn more about how grass grows, what it needs to be healthy, and how to successfully manage it without relying on dangerous products or scarce resources. Ideally, a healthy lawn will not be judged on how amazingly lush and green it is but on how natural and alive the soil that's growing it is.

Happy 2010 to everyone.

Lawn Care Trends for 2010 originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 at 11:06:00.

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There are so many ice-melt products on the market, it's enough to make your head spin. Not only do they all claim to work the best, they all claim to be "greener" than their competitors. Many of these claims of being green are nothing more than a marketing technique. When companies claim their product is "green" when it's not it's called "green-washing".

Sure, salt is a naturally occurring substance but is it safe for pets, plants and concrete? Ice melt labels are so loaded with claims of safety and effectiveness, never mind whether it's potassium, magnesium, sodium, or calcium chloride?

Most ice melt products are made from one, or a blend, of five products. Some chlorides are less corrosive and some lose effectiveness when it gets too cold. All ice melt products have their limits and advantages. It's best to have a blend that can take advantage of the benefits of multiple products.

Read more about ice melting products:

Understanding Ice Melting Products originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 17:48:10.

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Why not turn your favorite lawn care enthusiast "green" this Christmas starting with some of these environmentally conscious lawn care gift ideas.

Start with The Organic Lawn Care Manual by Paul Tukey. Your loved one will relish the opportunity to learn about organic lawn care through the winter and start the spring off right with organic lawn care techniques.

How about the Neuton CE 6 Battery Powered Lawn Mower for some quiet, clean, battery powered mowing. I love the Neuton and so will the person in your family who has to mow the lawn. No more gas, no more spark plugs, no more hassle.

Keep it green with the LEHR Eco Blower: Propane Powered BlowerVac and Mulcher. Propane is considered an "eco-fuel" by the EPA and LEHR leads the way with their propane powered lawn care tools. They make propane powered string trimmers too.

Speaking of clean burning propane, wipe out weeds with the Weed Dragon Torch Kit by Red Dragon. The Weed Dragon uses propane to burn weeds rather than harsh chemical sprays which can be harmful to children, pets, and the water supply.

The L.R. Nelson Rain Train Traveling Sprinkler 1865 makes a great gift and is the next best thing to a pricey automatic sprinkler system.

Make 2010 the year to go green on your lawn, starting this Christmas with some of these environmentally friendly lawn care gift ideas. Happy Holidays!

Green Lawn Care Christmas Gift Ideas originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 19:58:20.

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I had the opportunity to demo the LEHR Eco Blower just in time to clean up the leaves in my yard. LEHR's claim to fame is their pioneering use of propane as a fuel for lawn care equipment. Propane is considered an eco-fuel by the EPA and the Eco Blower runs on standard 16.4 ounce containers like you'd use for a camp stove.

I usually use a combination of raking and mulching with my mower to clean up leaves so I had fun blowing the leaves, then attaching the vacuum part and sucking them up into a shoulder bag. The leaves get chopped up as they pass through the machine reducing the volume and making them ideal to add to the compost pile.

The practical beauty of propane is that you no longer need to store fuel. The crankcase still uses oil but gone are the days of mixing, storing and inevitably spilling fuel. There's still a spark plug but no choke and no priming bubble. The Eco Blower started with ease every time.

I had a partially full propane canister left over from a camping trip and it was more than enough to blow/mulch my yard on two different occasions.

Read the review:

LEHR Eco Blower: Propane Powered BlowerVac and Mulcher

photo © LEHR Inc.

LEHR Eco Blower: Propane Powered BlowerVac and Mulcher Reviewed originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 21:47:54.

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Here in New England, we just got our first taste of winter weather with about 3 inches of snow, and old man winter is currently taking the rest of the country by storm (pun definitely intended) with snowy conditions seen in California, Arizona, Texas and the great plains. The snow will soon be gone for most of the residents affected by this storm, but for those of us in the north, our season of snow and ice removal has just begun.

Keeping your sidewalks clear of snow and ice should be a major concern for most people living up north. Not just as a demonstration of good neighborliness but also to avoid any potential lawsuits that can result from someone injuring themselves on the sidewalk in front of your home.

It's best to take care of the snow soon after it falls. The more people walk on it, the more packed down it gets, and the harder it is to get rid of. Once the snow is gone, it wouldn't hurt to sprinkle some salt or ice melting product to eliminate any ice. Any lingering ice has the potential to be the culprit in a slip and fall accident. While you're out there, try to help a neighbor who may not be able to take care of their own walk.

Here's some interesting winter-related reading:
• Melting Snow & Ice with Salt
• What are my responsibilities regarding snow removal?
• How to Prevent Snow Shoveling Injuries

photo © flickr user Bitpicture

Winter comes in with a roar originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 20:17:40.

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I thought it was a little early for backyard skating rinks but judging from the amount of traffic my article is getting, people are gearing up to build their own rink this winter.

Backyard rinks are a lot of fun and can be as simple or complex as you like. I've seen some that stretch across two backyards complete with a golf cart converted into a Zamboni, but most are small patches of ice where family and friends can skate, learn to skate, and shoot a puck around.

The most important aspect of backyard rinks is that it must be cold enough. Three consecutive days of 20˚F (-7 ˚C) are needed for the recommended 3 inches of ice to freeze solid. People tend to worry about damaging the grass but as long as there's a little snow-pack between the ice and the grass the grass should be fine. Just be sure to help it melt a little bit in the late winter/spring by breaking the ice up, removing barriers to allow water movement, and possibly adding a dark, sun attracting substance like charcoal, compost, or Milorganite.

Game On!

Read the article:

Build Your Own Backyard Ice Rink

photo © flickr user sciman111

Build a backyard ice rink this winter originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 20:13:25.

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As a turf care professional, I live and die by the weather. The forecast will drive my irrigation schedule, dictate the timing of my fertilizer and pesticide applications, and occasionally take me by surprise and ruin my day. That's why I frequent weather websites and take full advantage of the features that each one has to offer.

I have three weather websites that I frequent, each one having certain features that keep me coming back. I also like to compare the three forecasts and constantly hope for the one I find favorable to be accurate. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

The Weather Channel is easy to read, reliable, and has an excellent radar map with animations. I rarely seek out other radar maps, I love the functions and features although I've been on slow computers that have a hard time with the animations. A moderate amount of ads are always present unless a subscription is purchased.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is my favorite overall site. Once your zip code is entered it gives a clear, easy to read five day forecast. Also known as the National Weather Service, I find comfort in the site's lack of advertising and air of scientific authority. The forecasts are also very accurate.

AccuWeather.com rounds out my top three. This site has a 15 day forecast which is can aid in planning fertilizer or pesticide applications. It also has great videos so you can see your local forecast by a real meteorologist. Sometimes the best way to get the weather is by the weatherperson. AccuWeather.com has both free functions (with ads) and subscription service with no ads and extra features.

When I'm looking for general weather related information there's no better source that About.com's Guide to Weather Rachelle Oblack. Excellent articles on everything from how to read a weather map to what caused the dust bowl in the 1930s.

Weather plays a huge role in a successful lawn care program. Checking in on the forecast can save time and money by allowing you to irrigate only when necessary and properly time applications of fertilizers and pesticides.

photo © flickr user jm_3

Let's talk about the weather originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 21:03:35.

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Hot off the press (digitally speaking), my review of The Organic Lawn Care Manual by Paul Tukey. I love this book. It is my lawn care companion that is never far from reach. Not only does it contain all the general lawn care knowledge of your standard lawn care manuals, but it teaches lawn care from an organic perspective. You'll still find information like how grass grows, different types of grass, and weed identification, but there is no mention of using synthetic fertilizers or chemical pesticides. It's all natural lawn care, all the time.

While I am not totally opposed to the idea of safely using synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides to achieve certain results on landscapes (I get paid to do such things), I am quickly becoming an organic convert both personally and professionally. This year I begin maintaining over 10 acres of lawn and landscaping organically after working solely with synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides for almost two decades. Reducing and eventually eliminating the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers is a goal with far reaching benefits, from my health to the health of the soil and groundwater. Organic growing just makes sense.

Paul Tukey is the authority on organic lawn care and an expert communicator, making The Organic Lawn Care Manual an easy to comprehend and thorough study on the topic. He is the founder of safelawns.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting natural lawn care and grounds maintenance, and a tireless advocate for the organics movement.

Read the Review
• The Organic Lawn Care Manual by Paul Tukey

photo © Storey Publishing

The Organic Lawn Care Manual Reviewed originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 22:57:26.

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I hope to get the rest of my leaves this weekend. I wanted to finish them off last weekend but the rain has not been in my favor. Mulching them with my mower has been working so far but I also plan on testing out the vacuum/mulcher attachment of the Lehr Eco-blower too.

Once the leaves have been dealt with, it's time to winterize the lawn tools. Mowers and trimmers need to be winterized but so do hoses, pruning shears, rakes and other lawn care products you may use. They no longer need to be front and center, at least pack them away for the season so you're not tripping on them to get to the snow shovel.

Some lawn chemicals need to be kept from freezing so be sure to read the labels and ensure they are stored properly and separate from products like rock salt so there's no confusion about what is what.

It's also a good time to make sure the snow blower is working, there's plenty of sand or ice melt on hand, and there is a functioning snow shovel or two. Do you really want to be that person rushing out to get a shovel or ice melt right before the storm?

photo © Dougal Waters/Getty Images

Last of the leaves to be taken care of this weekend as winter quietly creeps up on us originally appeared on About.com Lawn Care on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 20:46:39.

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