Take a look at this snapshot from Health Canada's website fact sheet entitled Healthy Lawn Tips.
- Although it may look untidy, leave grass clippings on your lawn when you mow it to provide nutrient recycling.
- Aerate compacted soil in the fall to help oxygen, water and nutrients reach roots.
- Over-seed patchy areas.
- In heavy traffic areas, replace grass with mulch or paving stones.
- Check your lawn for early signs of pests and other problems such as holes caused by small animals digging for insects.
- Set your mower so that your grass is seven to eight cm high to encourage deeper roots and help fend off weeds.
- Water infrequently, but when you do, make sure you allow the water to get deep into the soil (about 1.5 centimetres) to promote deep roots. Over-watering starves the soil of oxygen and invites disease. Apply at least 2.5 centimetres of water. Put a container on your lawn to measure how much you've watered. An empty tuna can is about the right height.
- Maintain good soil with ample depth and organic matter to prevent problems.
- If physical control methods fail and you use a pesticide, be sure the one you pick lists the pest you are trying to control on the label, and follow all the instructions.
More information is available online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/pmra. Fact sheets include Starting a Lawn, Lawn Maintenance, Life of a Lawn and Common Lawn Problems.