...and the survey says!

It's climate ties.

While I agree with many of the positions stated in this article, I am disappointed by the omission of how this problem started and how easily we could solve it by amending the pesticide bylaw. 

Same as it ever was

 

To borrow a phrase from the band Talking Heads, "This ain't no party. This ain't no disco. This ain't no fooling around."

Which is exactly how I and many other lawn care operators feel when the weeds emerge, turning green to yellow and eventually a sea of white spores.

Every year since the bylaw was unfairly dumped on Lawn Care and homeowners we have dealt with this scenario. But some things never changed.

Same as it ever was? The number of people who hold their noses when they walk by as I'm spraying a lawn (although Fiesta is odourless), and those who believe by stepping on the wet grass means they better call their next of kin.

Same as it ever was? The customer who complains when the first dandelion pops on their lawn and wonders what "they're paying us for," even when we have yet to do one application of weed control.

Same as it ever was? The vast amount of cheating. Since it is a Provincial bylaw and a Federal border, all a homeowner has to do is purchase Killex state-side and bring it back. From the ubiquitous curling of weeds noticed on many a lawn, American business is brisk. 

Same as it ever was? The feckless political climate. Every year there are whispers of an amendment to the bylaw. After all there are effective alternatives (like Civitas) used right now in other Canadian provinces. However with the backlash to Green Belt development, the Ford government did a scrotal tuck and ran for the shadows.

Same as it ever was? The number of exemptions under the bylaw including, golf courses, farmers, sod growers, government owned lands, and cemeteries, accounting for over 90% of pesticide usage.

Same as it ever was? Fiesta (pictured above), the so-called "TURF WEED KILLER" is anything but that. It injures top growth only and does not kill the root. Neudorf, the makers of Fiesta, need to be called out on this shameless false advertising. Fiesta is a control, not a killer. People need to know.

Same as it ever was? Me bitching about all of the above.

But it doesn't have to be this way, and everyone in the lawn industry knows it.

Fiesta? "This ain't no party. This ain't no disco. This ain't no fooling around."

It's time to get your grass in gear!

 So you've picked up loose clutter, tree branches, leaves, etc. You've raked lightly to get rid of any thatch. You've decided to push both seeding and core aeration off to the fall in order to cut down on weeds, and you've given your lawn an initial kick with some slow-release spring fertilizer.

What now?

After all the rain, your grass should be getting long and in need of its first hair cut.

The most important consideration is the height of your mower. It should be at 3 1/2 inches, (the distance from the blade to the soil.)  Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade as it will stress the lawn, and weaken it to the elements.

I always make sure, once finished, the grass is ankle-high. This is an excellent benchmark to know whether to raise or lower the mower deck.  

Leave the clippings on the lawn if there is not excessive mounds. This is known as grass-cycling, and returns nitrogen back into your lawn. Frequent mowing may be necessary in the early months but the results will be worth the labour.

It is the small things that will keep you happy with the grass more resistant to weed infestation, and a healthier, thicker, more robust lawn.