Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 10, 1993 TAG: 9301110319
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: John Arbogast
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE YEAR-ROUND JOB
Gardeners or people responsible for home grounds should include in their New Year's resolutions a goal to conduct horticulture activities with environmental responsibilities in mind. This means protecting ground water and air quality when using pesticides, applying fertilizers or dealing with leaves and clippings.Here is a list of things to consider in the coming months to eliminate the negative impact consumer horticulture can have on the environment:
JANUARY
As we make plans for spring planting or browse through seed catalogs, look for plants that are disease- and insect-resistant. Usually this information is listed in the catalog description of the variety.
Selecting these plants will lessen the use of pesticides.
Take time during the winter to read about and understand fertilizers for the lawn, garden and landscape. To prevent water quality problems it is important to apply fertilizer only as needed and at the proper time and rate.
FEBRUARY
Don't be tempted by pictures, ads and thoughts about growing fruit trees at home without an understanding of the total picture. Fruit trees, including those grown mainly for flowers such as Kwanzan cherry, often are subject to diseases and insect infestations, such as Japanese beetles. Management of fruit trees usually requires pesticides and a real commitment of time and resources.
Observe areas around the house where the soil is bare and may be eroding from winter rains and snows. The obvious solution is to cover that ground with either plants, sod or mulch. In the case of bare garden or flower bed soil that will soon be in use, rough plow now when the soil is dry enough to work; the intent is to stop the flow of water over smooth ground.
MARCH
This is the month for reviewing and establishing your lawn-care program. Consider these recommendations to improve water quality, reduce fertilizer applications and get yard wastes under control:
Spring is not the time to fertilize bluegrasses and fescues. That should be done in the fall. If you want to take advantage of spring fertilizer sales for the do-it-yourselfers, buy it now and store it in a cool, dry spot until fall. If you have a lawn service, talk to them about applying as little fertilizer now as their programs allow.
Be selective in lawn weed control. In most cases, weed control isn't needed every year. Identify the major weed(s) in your yard before applying weed killer. This allows you to select the best control product as well as the preferred time to treat. Some weeds are more successfully controlled in the October-November period. Also, maybe only part of a yard will require treatment.
Keep in mind that a severe weed infestation is often a sign that conditions affecting grass growth are poor on that site. That could be anything from a soil that is too acidic, improper fertility, compacted soil or thin turf that needs proper overseeding or slit seeding.
Mow frequently. If possible, try to mow based on the growth rate of the grass so that no more than about one-third of the top is cut at a time.
Don't bag grass clippings and send them to the landfill! They contain natural nutrients that will serve as fertilizer if left on the lawn. Of course, this depends on the clippings' being scattered evenly and not clumped together. If your mower is designed to use a bagger for best performance, save the clippings that are free of weed killer and apply them in thin layers as a mulch around vegetables or flowers.
Keep the mower sharp.
Mow at the recommended cutting height. Don't cut the grass too short. That can lead to weed invasion. For a bluegrass lawn, the recommended cutting height is 2 to 2 1/2 inches. For fescues, cut at 2 1/2 to 3 inches.
I'll give environmental horticulture tips for the other three quarters in later Dear Johns.