Out
On A Limb / September 2006
Low Mow-tion
One of the intriguing developments in the movement toward ecology and a self-sustaining environment is low-mow turf grass. A mix of slow-growing fescues, along with other new mixes, the ‘low-mow turf’ looks like a normal lawn, but requires less frequent mowing, much less water and little or no fertilizer.
The no-mow lawns are not so low-maintenance that the lawn mower can be permanently retired, but these special low-growing grass blends take almost all the work out of a lawn. They save time, gas, water and fertilizer.
Producers of the grass mixtures don’t even recommend using fertilizer, and say herbicides are not necessary.
Instead of weekly mowing, they recommend mowing a no-mow lawn once a year.
Of course, some people like the cropped look and may choose to mow every three weeks, but homeowners may just go out in June and mow once, to cut the seed heads off.
The no-mow lawns have been around for about ten years. In the early years, they were sold to parks departments and to landscape contractors. Soon they became very popular with second-home owners, who aren’t able to mow each week.
Since their introduction a decade ago, mixes have been developed with daisies, yarrows, clovers and grasses appropriate for climates across the country, from Los Angeles to the Northeast.
For yard enthusiasts ready to switch to low-mow grasses instead of high- maintenance turf, summer is the time to plan. Cool-season grasses should be planted in early fall to give them time to get established before summer’s heat sets in. Warm-season grasses, such as native buffalo grass should be planted in early spring.
No-mow lawns may not save the planet all by themselves, but planting them is something that does reduce the damaging long term effects of chemical lawn treatments and reduces gas usage. Saving time and money are extra pluses for gardeners.
They can spend more hours browsing the garden center and invest more money on flowers.
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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