Plugging Lawn Reform at the American Hort Society

I'd call this post "Rant on the Road" but Alexandria, VA is less than an hour away, so hardly counts.  But I AM actually speaking - promoting lawn replacement plants and healthy care of existing lawn with a photo-packed PowerPoint.  Also speaking?  Our old friend Brent Heath of Brent&Becky's Bulbs. 

WHEN:  Tomorrow, June 14.  WHERE:  AHS's River Farm headquarters in Northern Virginia.  TIME:  My talk's at noon.   More details here.  (Sorry that link doesn't include times.)

Prairie dropseed at Chanticleer Garden in Pennsylvania

Comments

[greg draiss]

SAVE THE LAWNS!!!!!!!
SAVE THE LAWNS!!!!!!!

The TROLL

[Benjamin]

Prairie dropseed is a god!!!!

[Glasgow Gardener]

In any turf renovations, or ongoing maintenance programs, people are looking to take their lawns to the next level, or to revive a well-used lawn.

Maintenance of this type is vital to the long term care of your lawns, and garden, and should certainly be carried out by a professional company.

Laying a new lawn with turfs delivers instant results and you can have a lush looking lawn straight away after the installation. This garden project can be completed anytime of the year.

Any block paving, slab paving, or gravel and chippings would look great alongside a well manicured lawn, and patio.

Some lawn care tips:

Water your new lawn immediately after installation using a hose and sprinkler. Pay particular attention to the edges and corners.

Be aware that windy days dry out turf just as fast as hot days.

It is best not to walk on the turf while your lawn is establishing. When moving your sprinkler use planks of wood to spread your weight across the area.

During the first three weeks, avoid heavy or concentrated use of your lawn. This will give the turf and roots an opportunity to firmly knit with the soil and ensures that your turf will remain smooth.

Mow your new turf approximately ten days from laying during the Spring and Summer seasons, or after three weeks during Autumn / Winter depending on grass growth.

Adjust your mower to its highest setting - it is vital that the new turf is not cut too short or scalped during the early mowing, or left to get too long.

Take care to avoid scalping, keep mower blades sharp and never use a strimmer to cut your lawn.

[Old Kim]

What genus and species is that in the photo?

[susan harris]

Prairie dropseed is Sporobolus heterolepsis

[Jean@Yardworkerz]

Here's the stand of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America regarding the effects of lawn grasses to the environment...

“Turf-grass helps purify water entering underground aquifers - its root mass and soil microbes act as a filter to capture and breakdown many types of pollutants. It is estimated that turf-grasses trap much of the 12 million tons of dust and dirt released annually into the U.S. atmosphere. In addition, a turf area of just 2500 square feet absorbs carbon dioxide, ozone and other pollutants, and releases enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four. Eight average front lawns have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. The investment of your time and money into your lawn and landscape have a profound effect on the world around us...and is a valuable contribution to the community and the environment.”

What can you say?
http://www.yardworkerz.com