Your children are likely spending hours playing video games. You’d like to encourage them to get some exercise outside, but your back yard is more weeds and bare spots than lawn. Maybe you even talked with a grass expert about which type of sod you should buy, but walked away more confused than ever. Plus, lately you’ve heard that maybe lawns aren’t so good for the environment anyway. So is it time to replace it all with plastic turf and say, The heck with having a nice lawn!?
Your yard should be the greatest play station on earth. But, there are myths keeping you from making the most of it. Before you replace your lawn with rock because you are frustrated by disease, insects and other issues, you might want to check out some easier solutions.
While grass isn’t for every climate or every family, “It’s actually easier than ever to have a great-looking lawn. Plus, there are a lot of good reasons for doing so,” according to lawn and garden expert, Michael Pope, who’s out to dispel some of the typical myths that he hears about lawns and lawn care.
7 Lawn & Lawn Care Myths
MYTH 1: Our family’s yard has little to do with our health and well-being.
Reality: Research shows that kids are spending as much as eight hours a day in front of an electronic screen, versus only 45 minutes engaging in unstructured play,” says Pope. “Having a healthy lawn provides space and incentives for the family to be more active. This can include everything from BBQs to playing tag and camping out. It’s a way to lure kids off their computers and into the sunshine.” He adds that a 50 x 50-foot lawn releases enough oxygen for a family of four, while absorbing ozone, carbon dioxide and other airborne chemicals.
MYTH 2: The water, fertilizers and other requirements to maintain a healthy lawn are not good for the environment. I’d be better off installing artificial turf and maybe some concrete pavers.
Reality: Healthy lawns filter toxins through their root systems. In addition to breaking down pollutants, they stop erosion and run-off into the streets. A healthy lawn absorbs rainfall six times more effectively than a wheat field. Lawns also have a proven cooling effect. Eight average front lawns have the same cooling effect as about 70 tons of air conditioning. The average capacity of a home air conditioning unit is only three to four tons. Now contrast all of this with artificial plastic turf or gravel. They don’t filter, don’t stop runoff and they can create “heat islands”. Besides, what kid likes to play in a rock yard?
MYTH 3: Choosing the right sod variety is confusing. You practically need an advanced degree in botany to understand the features and benefits of each type.
Reality: It’s true that turf grasses can vary widely, and until now the decision could be complex. Homeowners had to determine which zone they lived in, or if they live in a “transition zone”, then try to figure out which grass variety best suits their needs. That has changed with the introduction of Harmony turf, which makes it possible to buy premium quality grass that is adapted for your region and your application, sold by a growers’ network that adheres to rigorous Harmony standards. All you need to know is how you want your grass to function. If you have an area that gets high wear, ask for Harmony Play; normal wear is ideal for versatile Harmony Home; and an area that gets low amounts of sunlight requires Harmony Shade. And if you need more next year, you’ll always get the same quality grass variety but with Harmony’s incremental improvements. It will blend right in.
MYTH 4: To have a beautiful yard, I really need to hire a subcontractor.
Reality: Your back yard should represent a simple, easy lifestyle. You shouldn’t have to get your hands dirty. Harmony can then handle everything from measuring your yard, to installing the turf plus the irrigation system and any mulch or stone. It is as easy as ordering new carpet for your home. Starting the process is as easy as going to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s, or jumping onto their websites. You can even order your new lawn using your smart phone.
MYTH 5: Raking up the clippings is important to the health of my lawn.
Reality: Great news! Once you finish mowing, most of the time you can forget about raking! Leave those clippings where they fell. They are filled with nutrients, and can reduce your need to fertilize by as much as 25 percent. Only excessive quantities of grass clippings may cause issues.
MYTH 6: The best way to protect my lawn from disease and insect damage is to hire one of those big companies to spray it throughout the growing season.
Reality: It’s easy to over-fertilize and actually burn your grass. Some better sod varieties, such as Harmony, are now cultivated to require less water and fertilizer. That may be an issue with some of those “drive by spraying” companies whose techs only get a few hours of training before they hit the streets. A smarter option is to care for your lawn using nontoxic products like those from Safer Brands. Click to more about the benefits of organic lawn care.
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MYTH 7: In today’s economy, I’m better off saving my money than investing it in landscaping.
Reality: When incorporated into a well-maintained, great-looking landscape design, your lawn can increase your home’s property value by as much as 20 percent.
For additional information, including a place to ask the pros about lawn care problems that have you stumped, visit www.HarmonyBrands.com.
So glad you started off tackling that first myth! If you think about it our lawns have never been more needed or important than they are now.
I am looking to keep a healthy yard this summer so my lawn can look great when we host a backyard wedding in a few months. It is good to know that one does not have to rake after mowing. I like what was said about how the clippings are filled with nutrients and can reduce your need to fertilize. I appreciate your help.
Thanks for your comment and for dropping by Jade! Glad you enjoyed the tips 🙂