On-Line Guide To Healthy Lawns

July 17, 2004

By Sandy Woods, Master Gardener

As many of you may know, The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer service organization sponsored by the University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension. We strive to teach people in the community about home horticulture and to extend the research-based information produced by the University of California to the home gardener. You may not be aware, however, of the valuable resources available to you by accessing the UC Extension websites directly. I'd like to introduce you to just one site, a recent addition, called "The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns", available at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/TURF/.

Developed by the statewide UC Integrated Pest Management Program, this guide was designed for the home gardener as well as managers of park and school grounds. Its goal is to educate readers on how to establish and maintain healthy lawns using environmentally friendly practices.

The site is easy to use and contains a wide array of information. Are you planning a new lawn for your yard? Check out the sections entitled "Choose and identify your turf species" and "Lawn care for new lawns." You may learn that new lawns require careful planning and preparation. You will be advised to consider how the lawn will be used and what planting method to utilize (e.g., seed, sod, sprig, or plug). These sections can help avoid future problems and expensive water bills by showing how to properly prepare soil, chose proper turf, and install proper irrigation systems before planting.

Is your old lawn looking poorly? Click on the section titled "Lawn care for established lawns." You may learn that lawns can deteriorate from ineffective maintenance, inadequate drainage, heavy traffic, pests, weeds, or simply due to poor grass species selection. The section outlines essentials of a proper maintenance program and how to carry one out.

The section on irrigation will explain the essentials of proper water management to maximize results while minimizing water waste.

If you have a pest or disease problem, the website can guide you through identification of the problem and environmentally friendly ways to control or alleviate it with minimal or no use of pesticides.

You can even enter information specific to your own lawn situation and design an irrigation program, calculate the amount of fertilizer to apply, and/or determine proper mowing height or frequency depending on the type of turf in your yard.

Whatever information you seek, "The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns" can be a vital resource for anyone enlisted with care and maintenance of a lawn. It also provides links to other informative sites designed for the home gardener. Check it out today and get acquainted with this valuable, free resource.

University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers can provide additional gardening information upon request. Call the San Luis Obispo office at 781-5939 on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 PM, the Arroyo Grande office at 473-7190 on Wednesdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, or the Paso Robles office at 237-3100 on Wednesdays from 9 AM to Noon.  The San Luis Obispo Master Gardener website is at http://groups.ucanr.org/slomg/. Questions can be e-mailed to mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu.