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The sun was bright this morning and it was filtering through to the snowdrops that were blooming under the redbud tree. These are the first signs of spring in our garden.(other than the robins that showed up a few weeks ago.)

I don't have a lot of these dainty bulbs. Actually, this is the only spot in my garden, but they are always the first to bloom in the beds. From here on, in the other spring flowers will come along in their proper order and sequence. . . . all in good time.

 Signs of Spring

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People often ask if it is necessary to rake the lawn in the spring. They see their neigbhours doing it and often remember that their parents raked faithfully each spring.

Raking is good for the lawn. Raking is mainly a grooming exercise. And it can be exercise. Plus it gives you sunshine and fresh air (unless you like raking in the rain). Raking removes the dead grass blades. Once the dead blades have been removed, the lawn will look greener, even though you have also removed some green grass blades.

Raking is also a “pruning”. Just as trimming a forsythia bush will stimulate growth, raking a lawn will prune stems of grass and will also stimulate growth.

Is it absolutely necessary? No. The lawn will not look as green until more new growth starts, but the lawn will still survive. My lawn is huge and I never have time to rake; I don’t like raking; and so I don’t.

Dethatching is a form of mechanical raking. Generally, I find mechanical dethatching to be a little unnecessary. Many people see the dead grass blades from the winter and will say “My lawn has a lot of thatch”. As lawn experts, we call that 'dead grass blades'. Thatch to us is that layer of stems, roots and other stuff found between the green part of the lawn (the grass blades) and the soil. Some thatch is good as it insulates the soil from extremes of temperature and reduces moisture loss. Too much thatch (TMT) acts like a thatch roof and can prevent water from penetrating the root zone. TMT also provides protection for insect pests and can increase disease incidence. TMT accumulates because of the lack of oxygen and the proper micro-organisms needed to break it down. Rarely is TMT caused by not removing the clippings. Return clippings to the lawn to better utilize the nutrients in the clippings and increase microbial activity.

Do I need to rake my lawn in the spring? 

If you have a lawn/tree/shrub that needs some Tender Loving Care - get The KING OF GREEN:

 

Turf King Home

 

Click here to Request a Quote Online -

 

or call us at 905.318.6677 or 1.888.TURFKING (887.3546)

 

If you would like more information, please Contact us

 

Follow us on Twitter  http://twitter.com/turfkingofgreen

 

Join our Facebook page  

http://www.bit.ly/FacebookTK

 

Copyright 2007 Turf King-Hamilton. All Rights Reserved.

This morning, I caught a rabbit feeding on the lawn. Now when I say “caught”, I mean visually not literally. I wouldn’t mind catching one literally, as they are multiplying like “rabbits.” The bad part, of course, is that they like to eat my plants. Last year, they kept taking the tops off the lettuce plants and nibbling on the Swiss chard. During the winter, they will “prune” certain plants, like the spireas, euonymus and burning bush.

Now, this particular rabbit was nibbling on the grass on top of the septic tank. I guess the saying about the “grass being greener over the septic tank” is true (a la Erma Bombeck.) I guess the warmth of the septic tank is causing the grass there to just start growing with tender new shoots. And of course, Mr. Rabbit knows a tender salad sprouting when he sees one.

  

If you have a lawn/tree/shrub that needs some Tender Loving Care - get The KING OF GREEN:

Turf King Home

Click here to Request a Quote Online -

or call us at 905.318.6677 or 1.888.TURFKING (887.3546)

If you would like more information, please Contact us

Follow us on Twitter  http://twitter.com/turfkingofgreen

Join our Facebook page  

http://www.bit.ly/FacebookTK

 

Copyright 2007 Turf King-Hamilton. All Rights Reserved.

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