Monday, January 27, 2014

Organic Lawns Start with the Right Seed



Nature has a way of giving us help as we try to reduce use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides in the home landscape.  All we have to do is pay attention.  The past two seasons my hubby and I have made a point to seed in several areas for additional lawn.


As we shopped for seed, we came across a term that was new to me, Endophyte-enhanced turf grass. This is what I'm talking about.

Endophytes are a  fungi that naturally infect the blades of grass.  Not a harmful fungi, a beneficial fungi that makes the grass resistant to insects and diseases. Studies have shown that  Endophyte infected grasses are less likely to be damaged by insects such as billbugs, cinchbugs, and sod webworms.  The chemical that lives withing the plant does not harm the grass plant, but the insects don't fair as well.  Some bugs are repelled by the plant, where other bugs eat the blades and are poisoned.  The natural compound in the plant works on surface feeding insect. 
Billbug

Cut worm

Sod web worm

Endophyte-enhanced grass also has been shown to resist stresses of heat and drought, and recovers better in the fall.
Excessive usage of Water on Lawns

 Endophyte-enhanced seed blends have also shown resistance to diseases like dollar spot, and red thread. 
Dollar Spot

Red Thread

Why does this fungi seem so important?  In our efforts to reduce chemicals in the landscape, Endophyte-enhanced grass is environmentally friendly and are not genetically modified (GMO).  The time saved and money spent on chemical treatments is a great eco-friendly choice in the landscape.

The seed producers have gone to great lengths to show the benefits in their products.  Many Fescue, Ryegrass, and Bluegrass blends are available.  Local seed formulated in your area are probably best to deal with insects, diseases, and the climate. Landscapes that are sunny, shady, dry, or high traffic areas have specific blends. Local garden centers that sell seed can usually advise you on what seed will meed your requirements. A list of grass varieties can be accessed at The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program at www.ntep.org/.



Endophyte-enhanced grasses are not to be used in pastures where grazing animals feed.  Cattle and horses get very sick and have died eating Endophyte-enhanced pastures.  But what if you have a cat or dog that munches on grass occasionally.  An Assistant Professor from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine, Sandra Yi, states that there is no danger for our domestic pets. There has never been a toxic reaction that has been reported for these animals.







 Over seeding the lawn with these Endophyte-enhanced seed can go a long way to get your grass more organic.  I wrote a post earlier this week about dormant seeding the lawn during winter. So, getting more and more Endophyte-enriched seed integrated into the lawn will reduce the need for pesticides, minimal fertilizers, and water.


Over seeding in the fall will also benefit the lawn.  Just make sure that the seed is Endophyte-enhanced, makes contact with the soil, and is kept moist until it germinates. Annual over seeding will enhance weak, thin grass, and will fill in bare spots.











Friday, January 24, 2014

Dormant Seed Now for Lush Lawn

A snowy, cold January is the perfect time to renew your worn out lawn. Now I realize that the sub-zero wind chills are not calling me outside this weekend. But I'm going to dormant seed bare spots and fill in the grass when I can get out in the next few weeks.   What is dormant seeding?  And why should I do it now?  Let me explain.



Dormant seeding takes place when the ground is frozen.  Put down seed on frozen soil, and even on top of snow. Then allow the freezing and thawing that will happen in the next few months to put the seed down in cracks and crevices in the soil.  This timing is ideal for the seeds to germinate later when the soil is just starting to warm up.
Seed scattered on snow


Dormant seeding in winter is ideal for the busy gardener.  Many chores become urgent in the spring, and winter offers a reprieve from the schedules of that more hectic time. Here in my Ohio garden, Zone 6, we can dormant seed from December 1 - March 14 with cool season grasses like Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass.(Check your area for timing of over seeding warm season grasses as they are different from cool season grasses.)

Seeding over a snow cover is acceptable as the melting snow will work the seed into contact with the soil. And spring rains will help keep seedlings moist. Likewise, cool spring temperatures are ideal for growing new grass.
Stressed Lawn from Drought and Weeds
Tools to seed are a typical drop spreader or a broadcast spreader to distribute seed.  I would use caution on using a Broadcast spreader since seed landing in flower beds and borders will grow!

Drop spreader

Broadcast spreader
A weak lawn is literally asking for weed seeds to take off.  By dormant seeding with a quality grass seed, the lawn will thicken and keep weed seeds from germinating.

Many lawn experts recommend that the quantity of seed needed for an area be applied at 25% more than labels say.  This will ensure good coverage and the lawn will fill in all the bare and thin areas.

Enjoying a Healthy Lawn


The downside to dormant seeding is if the seed starts to germinate when a cold spell occurs.  Tiny seedlings can be killed and the grass will not fill in as well.  Also, if early spring rains pool in the lower sections of the lawn, the seeds will be too soaked to germinate.

Grass with healthy roots
The weed issues of any lawn are common.  However, when dormant seeding, do not use a pre-emergent weed barrier.  Normally a pre-emergent is applied in early spring.  This creates a barrier in the soil that keeps weed seeds - or grass seeds - from taking hold. Wait until the lawn has grown and been mowed a couple of times before any weed treatments are applied.  This will allow the grass blades to grow, extend roots, and be established before any herbicide is used.

As many of you know, I resist the use of chemicals on my lawn and gardens.  So this weed issue is more of a manual removal for me in my yard.
Weed Controls
I have posted more on Organic Lawn care here. Many benefits to dormant seeding, and the time is right for doing this step in lawn care.

Do you plan to do any dormant seeding?  Let us know.



Monday, January 13, 2014

Small Trees that Fit a Small Yard

Many gardeners are stumped when designing a small garden.  The options of trees, shrubs, perennials, containers, vegetables, patios, fire pits, and a barbeques all seem to overwhelm - the choices are endless. And we want it all!  The dilemma is further exasperating when familiar plants are just too big for the space.

Trends in housing in the U.S. seem to be leaning toward smaller homes, smaller yards, patios and balconies typical of urban living.  Even suburban properties are following this path also, and folks are giving up 'excess' for a more manageable manner of living.


This charming area is appealing with a feature of one tree. 

Many trees would not work here.  The space demands a limit to size - and here are a few lovely trees that will fit any small garden.  I've kept the list of trees to ones that have a maximum height of 25 feet.  These trees are sometimes considered under-story trees since they grow in the shadows and shade of taller trees in the grove.  Some trees have been cultivated to be specimens or ornamentals in the landscape. Small trees structure can give an added element of interest to the garden. 


Sweet Bay Magnolia has multiple trunks

Blooms of Sweet Bay Magnolia
Sweet Bay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana,  is a small tree for the small garden.  It grows to 10' to 20' and has interesting structure.  The fragrant blooms would be well appreciated near a patio or deck. Hardy in Zones 5 - 9, the dark green leaves have a silver underside. The Magnolia appreciates acidic soil but does well in sandy soil or loamy gardens that are well drained. 
Pagoda Dogwood

Pagoda Dogwood, Cornus alternifolia

Pagoda Dogwood blooms are not brilliant white and berries are a dark purple. Wide spread of limbs makes this tree a great choice for an ornamental specimen in the garden.  This tree is found in most of U.S. and is hardy to Zone 4.

Cherokee Sunset, Dogwood, Cornus florida

Variegated Foliage of Cherokee Sunset (photo complements of Glyn Lowe)
This Dogwood is stunning and grows in Zone 5 - 8 to a height of 10' to 25'.  


Krousa Dogwood, 'Wolf Eyes'


                                                                             
The small variety of Dogwood grows to
only 6' to 10' and is shade tolerant.  Nice berries attract birds and deer are not drawn to this shrub type plant.

Chionanthus virgninicus, Fringe Tree

Fringe Tree is a native in the Eastern U.S. and is hardy in Zones 4 - 8.  This small tree grow to about 12' to 20' and has purple fruit. Fall foliage is clear yellow.  Stately plant is wonderful when in bloom.









Japanese Maple are exquisite specimens in a small garden.  Foliage is deeply cut and can be green or red.  Many varieties are small, and weeping.  Some look more like a shrub and stay close to the ground to anchor an area. 


Floating Cloud

 



There are many Japanese Maples to choose in the market place.  Evaluate your space and research mature height for your tree.  Talk to the garden center associates to determine which tree is right for you. 
Small gardens and yards have a determined size, and putting a plant in that will overwhelm the space is like putting an elephant in the room. Scale is a design element that can get out control if plants are not carefully chosen.  So a small tree that highlights a small garden can be the element that is needed. 





Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Smaller Yards Need Smaller Plants

 


As urbanization takes on a life of its own, home builders are faced with the need for smaller homes on smaller lots.  Homes are spaced closely, and attached homes have even less outdoor space.  Condos, and semi-attached homes still need to feed the need for outdoor spaces.  Patios and yards with limited green space have made small plants a must-have and the nursery industry is stepping up to offer some great options.




This patio is enclosed for a private space for this homeowner, but notice the neighbors just over the wall.  Screen plantings are useful here, but typical plants may outgrow the space.  Dwarf varieties will serve the purpose and allow the space to function as a gathering place. 

 
Here are a few of the many varieties of dwarf plants that may help landscape a small space. 
Small shrubs mature size is usually about 5 feet, and dwarf shrubs mature at about 3 feet  at most.  These mature elements can be very important detail when designing a small garden.   
 
 
This Blue Shag Dwarf white pine has blue-green long, soft needles and it's globe shade tops out at 3 - 4 feet high and wide.  Here the Blue Shag is flanked with Elijah Blue Fescue grass clumps that also remain small.
 
 
Mahonia aquifolium 'Compacta' is a multi-season plant that just keep giving.  Common name is compact Oregon Grape Holly. It stays small at 2 - 3 feet. This low maintenance  shrub has new leaves with a bronze/red color and turns to a green during summer.  Fall leaves turn a purple/red color and remain all winter. Birds are attracted to this Grape Holly berries and it is deer resistant.  This shrub does well in containers, too, and can be a nice potted plant on the patio.  Grape holly is hardy in Zone 5a - 9b.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Many small gardens need tall plants to expand the view upward.  Here, conifers are placed against the backdrop of a wall.  Pruned varieties have a stem that extend the foliage up, and visually keeps the space from feeling crowded. 
 

 
These ground covers spread and droop along the ground. Both are thyme - the top one is Archer's Gold Lemon, and the lower picture is Wooly Thyme.  The texture of these plants is small, and dainty and does not overtake the small space.  Also, since this is a small seating area, the luscious aroma of thyme will permeate the area and create another pleasant feature of a small garden.
 
Keeping a small space tidy could become difficult if leaves drop, or petals fall on the patio or deck. Dwarf English boxwood is an evergreen shrub that adapt well to containers or small spaces, and except for a nip or snip occasionally stay neat and tidy. 

English Boxwood are hardy in Zone 6 - 8 and grow to about three feet tall.  
 
A pretty flowering shrub that stays small is a Regent Serviceberry.
 
 
Regent Serviceberry is a compact shrub with bluish-gray foliage and white blooms in early summer.
Great fall color and edible fruit make this plant pretty for three season each year. This shrub grows up to 4 - 6 feet so it may not be suitable in a really small patio. 
 
 
Juniperus squamata 'Meyeri' is a drooping variety that only grows to 3 feet.  Ideal for evergreen color in a small garden.  The cool blue color is spectacular, and this juniper is hardy in Zone 5 - 8. 
 
Many shrubs are available in compact varieties.  Local garden centers and nurseries will have many choices.  Keep in mind the mature size of any plant that you may purchase.  Keeping size manageable in a small space will enhance the feeling of a coziness, and will keep maintenance to a minimum.  More time to relax in a small garden.
 
 
 

 
 
I have highlighted other small plants in a post and you can see them here.
 
Just because our outdoor space is small, does not mean we can not have a lovely, relaxing garden to enjoy.