Turf’s up
By Ann Dozier

Q:  At the end of summer are you unhappy about the amount of work and water your lawn requires?  Or, are you wondering what will fill your vegetable bed when the squash vines are ripped out?

A:  No, we’re not recommending that you tear up your lawn and plant vegetables, although that might be a solution for problem lawns. Instead, come to the Master Gardener Advice to Grow by presentation Saturday, September 17, to get some answers to both questions.

The session will offer a seminar on turf replacement plants featured in the demonstration at the Garden of the Seven Sisters. Gardeners hoping for sustainable ground covers will learn about eight different kinds of ground covers/grasses that take little water or mowing and are disease resistant and amenable to foot traffic. And they look good, too!
The ground covers are planted in 3 different blocks, which will all be on three different irrigation schedules in the future. These grasses may be mowed to resemble lawn or left unmown for easy care.  Four of these turf replacements are native to California and four are chosen from other Mediterranean climate areas. All provide attractive alternatives to a conventional lawn. Fall is the best time to plant these new ground covers.
As your vegetable garden winds down summer production you may wonder what vegetables you should plant next – or perhaps you’re planning a season of rest and wonder how to put the vegetable garden to bed for the winter.  Another section of Saturday’s presentation will focus on vegetables, showing what winter veggies can be started or planted now.  It will also describe the list of chores for fall in the vegetable garden.
The free Advice to Grow By presentations are held from 10-12 at 2156 Sierra Way in San Luis Obispo.  Come prepared for changeable weather and bring a chair if possible.

Click here: For more information about the garden turf alternatives.

Got a Gardening Question?
Contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners: at 781-5939 from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and Thursday; at 473-7190 from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays in Arroyo Grande; and at 434-4105 from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday in Templeton. Visit the UCCE Master Gardeners Web site at groups.ucanr.org/slomg/ or e-mail mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu