Start A Green Living Now!
Green Gardening
How to Start a New Lawn with Sod
Are you in a hurry to have grass in your yard? If that's the case, you might be considering using sod instead of seed to create the lawn. Planting sod is not necessarily any easier than sowing grass seed, but it does have its benefits. Here are some tips for using sod to start a new lawn. The primary advantage of sod is a faster result - you can have a lush, green lawn within an afternoon. A secondary advantage is that the lawn starts its life free of weeds such as dandelions and thistle. However, sod is more expensive than grass seed and can die off if not planted and cared for properly. Your choice of grass varieties is also more limited than it would be if you were buying seed. In preparation for the new lawn, you must add organic matter to the soil and remove weeds and stones. Rake the soil and make the ground as level and smooth as possible. This work should be done before the sod arrives at your home. Sod that is left sitting around will dry out quickly. When you are laying down sod, the trick is to get the soil very moist and work ...- Bookmark :
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Can You Have a Great-looking Lawn Without Chemicals?
Many home gardeners are worried about putting chemicals on their lawn due to the potential impact on the environment and the health of their families. At the same time, they wonder whether giving up synthetic fertilizers and herbicides means that they must sacrifice an attractive lawn. They will be pleased to know that it really is possible - and not very difficult - to have a fine grass lawn that adds value and eye-appeal to the property. Here are the secrets to a healthy, great-looking lawn without the use of harmful chemicals. Prepare the soil - All organic gardening methods place great emphasis on improving the soil. If you're starting a lawn from scratch, then you must prepare the soil by digging in organic matter and removing weeds. Even if you are working with an existing lawn, there are still things you should do each year to build up the soil and keep it in excellent shape for growing grass. Choose the right grass varieties - This is a vital consideration. Grass that is wrong for your climate will grow poorly and be harder to maintain. It may need more watering and be more vulnerable to attack from disease and pests. How ...- Bookmark :
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Do You Really Need a Lawn? Alternatives to Grass Lawns
Many folks would agree that a well-kept expanse of grass makes an attractive landscaping element. In some neighborhoods a luxuriant, green lawn is a point of pride and no homeowner would even consider tearing up the grass and replacing it with other plants. Nevertheless, regular turfgrass doesn't belong in some places and may not be right for everyone. Let's examine a few situations where grass is not the most desirable landscaping option and discuss some of the alternatives to the traditional lawn. The homeowner wants to save effort Certain people would rather not spend hours caring for a large lawn. For them, replacing the grass with low-maintenance plants is an easy decision. Other homeowners want to keep some lawn on their property where children can play and dogs can run, but they would like to minimize the amount of upkeep involved. There's no reason why they can't reduce the size of the grassed area and fill the extra space with durable ground cover plants. The homeowner wants to save water In moderate climates, a grass lawn needs one inch of water per week, on average, to keep it going. If that amount is not supplied by natural rainfall, homeowners have to make up the ...- Bookmark :
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How to Choose the Right Kind of Grass for Your Lawn
If you want a healthy lawn that is easy to care for, choosing the appropriate type of grass is crucial. Some people may think that all grass is basically the same. However, each variety has its preferred living conditions. Keeping an organic lawn in good shape is much easier if you grow a variety that suits your location. Here are some tips for choosing the right grass for your lawn. You might be surprised to discover how many types of turfgrass (the grass used for lawns) are available for the home gardener. Plant breeders have put a lot of effort into developing new and hardier varieties that thrive in different climate, sun, and soil conditions. Some new grasses even resist disease and insect pests. There are two broad categories of turfgrass species: cool season and warm season. As you might expect, cool-season grasses favor moist climates with cold winters and mild summers. The most abundant growth occurs in the spring and fall. During the summer, these grasses may turn brown and become dormant to cope with extended heat waves. Popular cool-season varieties include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, bent grass, and several types of fescue. On the other hand, warm-season grasses thrive in locations ...- Bookmark :
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For a Healthy Garden, Start with the Basics
Every gardener wants a beautiful, healthy landscape that they can look upon with pride. Some people try to accomplish this by relying on chemical fertilizers to feed growing plants and using strong pesticides to wipe out voracious insects. Other gardeners prefer to take a more natural approach to cultivation. The good news is that creating a yard full of strong, healthy plants, shrubs, and trees is quite possible without using artificial chemical helpers. The key is to get the basics right. Choosing the right plants and taking care of the soil will go a long way towards ensuring success. Let's take a look at these two elements of a productive and attractive garden. It's important to choose plants that are appropriate for your garden site. Certain plants are more suited to hot, humid locales, while others do best in moderate climates. The length of the growing season may also be a consideration when you are deciding what to cultivate. It's always a good idea to select plants that are native to your area, where possible. The amount of light and shade in your yard will also be a determining factor in your choice of plants. If you intend to grow vegetables ...- Bookmark :
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