Good Growing Neighbours

Here’s some information I received in the mail with my annual waste/ recycling collection calendar and thought I’d pass it along. The following information was published/ produced in partnership between the City of Edmonton and Strathcona County. Its part of a joint effort to encourage our communities to reduce pesticide use while maintaining a healthy lawn.

Why am I posting this here and what does this have to do with real estate you ask? Well, we all know the value of curb appeal when selling…so think of it as a home selling tip.

Tip 1 — Begin With Healthy Soil: A good lawn starts from the ground up. Proper soil preparation will minimize future weed problems. Adding compost will improve the water-holding capacity of sandy soils and open up air spaces in compacted clay soils. Nutrients and essential micro-organisms in compost help get the growing process off to a good start.

Tip 2 — Remove Thatch: In the spring, remove excess thatch with a heavy rake or de-thatching equipment. This helps to open your lawn to water, air and nutrients.

Tip 3 — Mow High: Mow your lawn to 6 – 8 cm (2 1/2 – 3 inches) to encourage better root growth and moisture retention. Keep your blade sharp! Your lawn will recover quicker if the grass is cleanly cut.

Tip 4 — Mulch Your Grass: Use a mulching mower and leave your grass clippings on your lawn. This provides a great source of slow-release nitrogen for your lawn. 

Tip 5 — Water The Roots: It’s better for the overall health of your lawn and pocketbook to water your grass deeply and less frequently. Apply at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water to the area. You can measure the amount by placing a container such as a pie pan on the lawn during watering. Grass growing near large trees may need more frequent watering, as tree roots may use much of the soil water. Watering for short periods of time and more frequently promotes shallow root growth and leaves your grass susceptible to drought conditions – and it uses more water!

Tip 6 — Develop A Tolerance: A few weeds or insects won’t harm your healthy lawn. Before using pesticides, try improving your lawn with some occasional hand weeding. Hand weeding can be beneficial if you have sensitive plants, or a vegetable garden where there can be concerns about spray drift.

Tip 7 — Let Your Lawn Breathe: It’s a root awakening! Aerating your hard, compacted soil helps get water, nutrients and oxygen to the roots. Aeration is best done in the early fall before overseeding and top dressing.

Tip 8 — Top Dress And Fertilize: Plan ahead for spring. In the early fall, top dress your lawn with a thin layer of compost or topsoil. It is also the preferred time to add grass seed to your lawn. Using compost or slow-release fertilizers will help promote vigorous lawn growth the next spring.

Tip 9 — Crowd Out Weeds: Healthy lawns are less susceptible to weed problems. Overseeding your lawn every fall keeps your grass thick and chokes out weeds.

Tip 10 — Consider Alternative Plants: Trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers and wild flowers promote biodiversity in your yard. Consider other plants for ground covers in shaded or dry areas. Periwinkle and Lily of the Valley have it made in the shade, while Creeping Juniper and Thyme have fun in the sun.

You can read all the tips in greater detail here. I have also linked to each detailed tip within the summaries above…hopefully the City doesn’t change the links on me.

///…CP