HABITAT enviroscaping|
HABITAT enviroscaping |
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Ottawa, Ontario K1K 2V2 (613)749-8245
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When the weather is very hot and dry, it is definitely not optimal conditions for a lush green lawn. What can you do to make the most of it? First, it is important to understand a few ecological effects of very hot and dry conditions on a lawn. When ambient temperatures and conditions are unfavourable, the germination of new grass seed is inhibited, greatly limiting the success of any overseeding done. In fact, unless you conscientiously watered the area, the ants and birds would have carried most of it away by now, had any seeding been done in June or July. This can easily provide weeds with a foothold in any bare spots left. The second effect is dormancy. In many instances grass plants will enter a dormant stage under these conditions and appear brownish in colour. The grass plants do this as a natural way of protecting themselves by sacrificing green growth to preserve their root systems. When conditions are favourable again, the grass will grow again with new vigour! So what can you do? Water is a valuable resource, and as an environmentally conscious company, we do not want to encourage you to unnecessarily water your lawn. Below are a few guidelines as to how and when to water and a some maintenance tips:
ORGANIC GARDENING BASICS What does it mean to garden
organically? The simple answer is that organic gardeners don't use
synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on their plants. But gardening
organically is much more than what you don't do. When you garden
organically, you think of your plants as part of a whole system within
Nature that starts in the soil and includes the water supply, people,
wildlife and even insects. An organic gardener strives to work in
harmony with natural systems and to minimize and continually replenish
any resources the garden consumes. Organic gardening, then, begins with
attention to the soil. You regularly add organic matter to the soil,
using locally available resources wherever possible. And everyone has
access to the raw ingredients of organic matter, because your lawn,
garden and kitchen produce them everyday. Decaying plant wastes, such
as grass clippings, fall leaves and vegetable scraps from your kitchen,
are the building blocks of compost, the ideal organic matter for your
garden soil. If you add compost to your soil, you're already well on
your way to raising a beautiful, healthy garden organically.
The other key to growing organically is to choose plants
suited to the site. Plants adapted to your climate and conditions are
better able to grow without a lot of attention or input; on the other
hand, when you try to grow a plant that is not right for your site, you
will probably have to boost its natural defenses to keep it healthy and
productive. The following links are all of local business' or sites of interest. www.NaturalFoodPantry.com Billings Bridge Plaza, (613)737-9330 www.CommunityNatureWatch.com Environmental news in eastern Ontario www.ontariostewardship.org/ottawa Ottawa Stewardship Council
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