Hello robkitts,
The following resources will provide you with tips and information on
how to revive and care for your lawn.
Lawn Renovation
Gardening in Western Washington provides an excellent article by Roy
L. Goss, describing corrective procedures to restore beauty to an old
lawn without removing all of the sod.
http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/lawn004/lawn004.htm
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Seattle's Natural Lawn Care Program
Seattle has a very active grasscycling and natural lawn care program.
“Using proper soil preparation and lawn maintenance practices will
help to build healthy soil and vigorous, deep-rooted lawns. These
lawns are more resistant to disease, tolerate some insect and drought
damage, and will out-compete many weeds.”
Here are the links to the 6 Steps to Natural Lawn Care for Western
Washington
Step 1: Mow High, Mow Often, and Leave the Clippings.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/lawncare/6steps_1.htm
Step 2: Fertilize Moderately in September and May with a "Natural
Organic" or "Slow-release" Fertilizer.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/lawncare/6steps_2.htm
Step 3: Water Deeply, to Moisten the Root Zone, but Infrequently.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/lawncare/6steps_3.htm
Step 4: Improve Poor Lawns with Aeration and Overseeding, or Consider
Fixing the Soil and Replanting.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/lawncare/6steps_4.htm
Step 5: Think Twice Before Using Pesticides or "Weed-and-Feed."
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/lawncare/6steps_5.htm
Step 6: Consider Alternatives to Lawns for Steep Slopes, Shady Areas,
or Near Streams and Lakes.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/lawncare/6steps_6.htm
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For more in-depth information, the following publication by David
McDonald is an excellent report on the subject.
Ecologically Sound Lawn Care Report
“The ecological approach to lawn care described in this report has
several advantages, including:
-Reduced mowing time and fertilizer needs, and improved turf color,
quality, and density.
-Enhanced resistance to diseases and weed invasion.
-Improved nutrient availability, and less soil compaction,
acidification, and thatch buildup
-Reduced water use, waste generation, and water pollution”
City of Seattle: Lawn care Report
http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/lawncare/LawnReport.htm
Download the complete 98 page report here:
http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/lawncare/docs/Grnlwn61.pdf
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Depending on the condition of your lawn, you may be able to revive it
by simply dethatching, aerating and overseeding.
“Dethatch: If the lawn is compacted with more than a half-inch of
thatch (dead grass and leaves pressed down among the roots), remove it
by using a dethatching rake or a power-dethatching machine. Regular
dethatching forces buds to grow near the base of the grass stems, and
frees new grass shoots to grow in thick and lush.
Aerate: To aerate, use a coring device to cut 3- or 4-inch-deep holes
in the soil, and leave the cores on the lawn to decompose naturally.
The holes created by the aerator will provide a path for fertilizer,
water and oxygen to get to the roots where they will do the most good.
Overseed: First, get rid of weeds either by digging them out with a
pronged tool, or by spot spraying them with a broadleaf herbicide.
Drag a rake over the bare spots to prepare a loose seed bed.”
Americas Doorstep article
http://www.americasdoorstep.com/articles/lawncare.htm
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Don’t throw away your clippings.
“Lawn care experts, having studied this process for many years, now
know that dropping the clippings back on the lawn is a valid way to
recycle nutrients from the grass blades. Instead of gathering the
clippings in a bagger, the mower just spits them back onto the lawn
surface. Necessity has propelled this research. Many municipal
landfills no longer accept bagged grass clippings. Where recycling
programs are in place to pick up yard waste, grass clippings present a
heavy and cumbersome part of the pick-up. Reducing waste by
"grasscycling" makes economic and ecological sense.”
Source: Gardening in Western Washington
http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/lawn005/lawn005.htm
Another article at the Gardening in Western Washington website is Lawn
Care throughout the summer by Dr. Gwen Stahnke
http://gardening.wsu.edu/column/04-15-01.htm
September–Good Time for Lawn Improvement
http://gardening.wsu.edu/column/09-13-98.htm
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Gardening in Western Washington provides a forum on lawns that may be
of your interest.
http://webx.cahe.wsu.edu/WebX?50@84.6S7vaMKna6Z.3@.ee81ce9
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You may view frequently Asked Questions about Lawns by Mary Robson at
the Gardening in Western Washington Website.
http://gardening.wsu.edu/text/faqlawn.htm
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Resource Guide:
“Would you like to know more about how to have an attractive, easy to
care for lawn, that’s easy on the environment? “
The resources listed on this webpage can answer your questions or
provide brochures with written information.
Call the Natural Lawn Garden Hotline (206) 633-0224 for more
information.
http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/lawncare/resourceGuide.htm
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The Chemical-Free Lawn: The Newest Varieties Techniques to Grow Lush,
Hardy Grass
“This easy-to-follow, comprehensive how-to book provides all the
information needed to grow a trouble-free lawn or revive an
established lawn--without the use of harmful chemicals.”
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/o/dt/assoc/handle-buy-box=0878578013
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Here are a number of useful books available at the King County
Hazardous Waste Library, 130 Nickerson St., Suite 100, Seattle, WA
98104.
- The Chemical-Free Lawn by Warren Schultz (Rodale Press, 1989)
- The Natural Lawn (& Alternatives) Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1993)
- Building a Healthy Lawn by Stuart Franklin (Garden Way Publishing,
1988)
- Down to Earth Natural Lawn Care by Dick Raymond (Storey Publishing,
1993)
- Least Toxic Pest Management for Lawns edited by Sheila Daar (BIRC,
PO Box 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707, 1992)
City of Seattle Website
http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/lawncare/availableBooks.htm
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Search Criteria:
Lawn care in Seattle
Revive your lawn in Seattle
Lawn Renovation
I hope this helps. If anything is unclear or if a link does not
function, please request let me know and I'll be glad to offer further
assistance.
Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
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