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Lawn and Turf Diseases

Thursday, 02 June 2011 21:58 administrator
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Disease is caused when the normal growth of the lawn turf is disrupted because of its interactions with pathogens like fungus. The pathogen comes from the environment and hinders the growth of turf grass. 

Diseases generally occur where the environment is floods with pathogens. Moreover the plants which are more stressed are prone to disease as compared to unstressed plants.

How can disease be prevented

• Adequate drainage is necessary

• Species or cultivars which are resistant to plant disease are important

• Don’t allow over-fertilizations

• Dot allow the leaves to stay really wet over a period of time

• Maintaining adequate air movement both below and above the ground

• No watering in the evening

 

Effect of disease on water quality

Disease can be fatal for plants and leaves bare soil which becomes prone to erosions and runoffs. If the chemicals are misapplied, it can pollute the runoffs and can seep into the groundwater.

Preventing disease

If the turf grasses can cope up with the stress, it will be healthy and dense and will be able to resist disease. Sometime the disease may spread and it becomes out of any control. However, the disease resistant cultivars can be implemented to avoid future problems.

The common diseases

Some of the common diseases of home lawns are:

• Dollar spot

• Brown spots

• Leaf spots

• Fairy rings

• Red thread

• Rust

• Pythlum

 

Things to do

  • Continue with the mowing process to maintain the top growth but don’t remove the 1/3
  • growth. Multiple mowing is necessary during periods of rapid growth.
  • Do not use means of irrigation unless the conditions are dry.
  • Remove any thatch or old dead plant material so new growth is encouraged
  • Aerate the soil to encourage air into the soil
  • Apply a fungicide
  • Have patients and monitor the area, with the correct practices and nice days the turf will grow out of it.

 

 

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 June 2011 22:01
 

How to control weeds

Thursday, 02 June 2011 21:53 administrator
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You can try the technique of ‘culture’ when you have more weeds on your lawn. The technique involves the following process:

  • Mowing should be performed at a proper height. Mowing helps to maintain a desirable turf height by eliminating the weeds.
  • When the density of lawn is thin, use fertilisers to improve density.
  • Keep Soil well aerated to help the rotts thrive and have available nutrients, air and water to keep the turf thick and dense, this will help choke any weeds out.

 Chemical processes are always helpful for lawn growing and maintenance, so let’s check these processes:


Pre-emergence herbicides create a barrier in the soil that kills the weeds as they germinate. It is important to pre-emergence herbicide on a program as they only last 2-3 months depending on product and rates applied.

  • Postemergence herbicides, is the most common which can be applied after the weeds appear. Don’t apply these before irrigation or rainfall. These need to be on the leaf for a good 6 hrs and you must not mow 2 days before or 2 days after application as this will give you best results.
  • Using Non-selective herbicides can kill and injure plants which come in contact with it. The option here is to paint the non-selective herbicide onto the leaf of the weed.

 Choosing pesticides smartly

• Use right product at the right time and follow the directions accurately on the table.

• Choose the product that doesn’t leach into the groundwater. The materials in the water which have high solubility are more susceptible to mix with groundwater.

• When you using materials close to water courses, rivers and bores be very careful because they might enter the water ways through runoffs.

 

 


 

Nourishing your Lawn Fertiliser

Thursday, 02 June 2011 21:47 administrator
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The grasses should be provided with the essential nutrients since these cannot be provided by the soil in all seasons of the year. Therefore, you are required to apply proper fertilisers as per its requirements in different seasons. This is one of the ways of maintaining the health of your lawn.

The importance of using fertiliser:

• Fertiliser promotes the growth of new leaves and roots.

• It controls the growth of weeds.

• Fertilisers help the lawn turf to quickly recover from foot traffic and pest damage.

 

It replenishes the nutrients that have been removed from the soil through grass clipping and leaching.

Fertilisers are usually available in two different forms - liquid and granular. You are required to choose fertilisers as per the requirement of your lawn.

Granular fertilisers are spread on to the grass and can be easily controlled. These fertilisers are available in the formulations of slow and quick release. Applying the fertilisers in a liquid form helps the plants to absorb it quickly.

The grasses are generally provided with nitrogen fertilisers that are soluble in water. These fertilisers belong to the category of “quick release fertilisers” and usually last for about 3-4 weeks. The fertilisers that are based on slow release formulations can be classified as: Polymer coated- These fertilisers last for 3 months. Sulfur coated- These last for 2 months approximately.

How long a fertiliser will last or how frequently it is applied depends on rainfall. Fertilisers need not be applied towards the end of the growing season in order to avoid unwanted growth.

The percentage of elements upon which, the nutrients of a fertiliser is based, is denoted by a NPK number mentioned on the package of the fertiliser. The three main elements in a fertiliser are namely, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Nitrogen is responsible for the growth of the leaves (of the grass) and their green color. Potassium protects the grasses against diseases and enhances the development of their roots. Phosphorus is essential for the growth of the roots.

Magnesium, sulfur, calcium are some of the secondary elements present in the fertilisers. Magnesium helps in the formation of sugar whereas sulfur is responsible for the green color. Calcium is encourages the growth of roots.

Manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum, zinc and iron are also present in the fertilisers.

The grass type has to be taken into account for choosing the right kind of fertiliser. Make sure to go through the instructions regarding the use of fertiliser befoCertain fertilisers are used for killing broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions.

Pre-emergent weed killers are the ones that are applied before the weeds can start germinating. These are usually used to prevent the growth of crabgrass. These are mixed with fertilisers in order to be applied on to the lawn.

Post-emergent weed killers are used for killing the actively growing weeds. These work effectively only when applied at the right time. You are required to go through the details mentioned on the package of the fertiliser that you will be using. re purchasing it

 

 

 


 

Tips on How to Choose a Real Lawn Mowing Professional

Thursday, 02 June 2011 21:43 administrator
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Employing a company that provides lawn mowing services may be an option for people who neither have the time, the tools nor the skills to manage their lawns. It is also a choice for people whose lawns need professional maintenance. Big areas, such as parks or sports fields, need more manpower and equipment to maintain.

For lawn owners or turf owners, lawn maintenance has to be done regularly to achieve a healthier and greener turf. Turf management companies that offer lawn mowing services are usually busy around spring time and summer. Owners, who had lawns for a while, are aware that the best season for turf management is spring. This is also the season when grasses are growing in height. As such, if you are interested in hiring a professional to care for your lawn, it is best to schedule for a lawn mowing service early spring. When selecting what company to do the job for you, here are some tips.

  • Ask for recommendations from friends, coworkers, neighbors and family. They are pretty much a credible source of information.
  • When choosing among lawn mowing services, choose the one that has a license and insurance.
  • Get a free estimate to compare and find out which company you’ll get the best value for your money. Just remember that the lowest estimate may not necessarily be the best. Use the price comparison instead to determine the reasonable price.

If after you’ve selected a lawn service company, and they were able to get the job accomplished, make sure to inspect if the job is done to your standards. If you are, make sure to schedule future mowing. It is best to book in a weekly service from Spring to Autum and once per month over the winter season.

 

 


Last Updated on Thursday, 02 June 2011 21:47
 

3 steps to a great lawn

Thursday, 02 June 2011 21:40 fahad
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Great LawnIf you are ready to whip your lawn into shape, you have come to the right place. There’s a ton of information about lawn care and maintenance floating around, so here are some quick facts to help get your research started.

  1. Plan ahead. Of all the tips that could possibly be offered this ranks as number one. There will be no lawn, let alone a good one, without preparation. Some questions to ask yourself are; Do you need to plant turf ? Is your current soil usable or will you need to treat it? Is the lawn area level? Do you have the time and resources to care for a nice lawn?
  2. To fertilize or not to fertilize? It is critical to give the Lawn some plant food. Aim to give the turf a complete fertilizer every 12-16 weeks for optimum growth. A thick lawn will outcompete weeds
  3. Mowing causes stress. Make sure that your mower’s blade is sharp enough to actually cut the grass. Never let the turf get out of control and always ain to remove 1/3 of the leaf when mowing.

These are just a few tips to consider when you are ready to have a healthy lawn.
Last Updated on Thursday, 02 June 2011 21:43
 


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