 | Peter X. Salmeron
was born in Peru and came to the US in 1971. He attended WSU and KU, earning a BS in Biology. He started Complete Landscaping Systems in 1983, on a part-time basis, and became a full-time entrepreneur in 1987. Today, Complete Landscaping Systems is one of the leading grounds maintenance and landscaping companies in Kansas and recipient of the Department of Commerce Service Company of the Year Award for Kansas in 2001. Mr. Salmeron is former President of the Wichita Garden Show Association and its Board and current Board member, is an executive member of the Board of Directors for Wichita Chamber of Commerce, President of Amigoes de Ser, was named SBA Small Business Person of the Year for 2000, and new Board member of the Wichita Conventions Bureau. You can contact Mr. Salmeron by phone at (316) 832-0061 or by email at petersalmeron@lycos.com |
Lawn, Garden & Landscaping
2002-04-01 14:47:00
Why so tall, et al?
: Why is that many lawn care people prefer to keep your grass so long throughout the year. It seems like a couple of days after they mow it needs to be mowed again.
Peter Salmeron
Question: Why is that many lawn care people prefer to keep your grass so long throughout the year. It seems like a couple of days after they mow it needs to be mowed again. Answer: Keeping your lawn a bit long will produce stronger, healthier grass with fewer pest problems. Longer grass has more leaf surface to take in sunlight. This enables it to grow thicker and develop a deeper roof system, which in turn helps the grass survive drought, tolerate insect damage, and fend off diseases. Longer grass also shades the soil surface keeping it cooler, helping it retain moisture, and making it difficult for weeds to germinate and grow. A lawn's ideal length will vary with the type of grass, but many turf grass species are healthiness when kept between 2-1/2 and 3-1/2 inches. You or your lawn care people may have to readjust the mower as most are set too low. It's also important to mow with sharp blades prevent tearing and injuring the grass. And it's best to mow often, because grass adjusts better to frequent than infrequent mowing. The rule of thumb is to mow often enough that you never cut more than one-third of the height of the grass blades. Save some time and help your lawn and the environment by leaving short clippings on the grass where they recycle nitrogen rather than sending them in bags to the landfill.Question: When Do I Weed & Feed?Answer: Think about lawn care as a preventive health care program, like one you would use to keep up your own health. The idea is to prevent problems from occurring so you don't have to treat them. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A healthy lawn can out-compete most weeds, and fend off most diseases before these problems ever get the upper hand. Weed & Feeds are such a shotgun approach that we really discourage them. Let your healthy fight off the weeds and spot spray with a broadside herbicide any weed that is super tough. This is much safer for your yard, kids, and pets.Question: When Do I Dethatch?Answer: Maybe Never! All grass forms a layer of dead plant material, known as thatch, between the grass blades and the soil. When thatch gets too thick ---- deeper than 1/2 inch ---- it prevents water and nutrients from penetrating to the soil and grass roots. But 1/2 inch is healthy and necessary to support the plant. In a healthy lawn, microorganisms and earthworms help keep the thatch layer in balance by de composing it and releasing the nutrients into the soil. A good, balanced slow release fertilizer program will give the thatch the nitrogen necessary for decomposition. Core aeration annually is also a great help.
