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Show 'I To Catch Or Not To Catch The ansy?cr depends on the time of year and the state of yonr-laiv- n 1 M OWING the lawn Is a rather simple operation and perhaps it would be best just to keep still about it and let gardeners go on in the old accustomed manner, leaving the clippings on or taking them off as they have done in the past. Some gardeners have not yet arrived at a firm decision on this matter and continue to wonder "which is the best procedure. Outlining a few of the factors to be considered in making a decision may help the .gardener make up his own mind in this matter. One reason often Suggested for leaving the clippings on is the fact i I i t I r by Dr. Arvil L. Stark that they provide a good source of organic matter for the lawn. This is basically true, and were it not for some accompanying disadvantages we could leave the matter there and hang the catcher in the garage to collect cobwebs. Not only are lawn clippings a good source of organic matter, but they also supply nutrients as well. A hundred pounds of bluegrass lawn clippings contains about four pounds of plant food, as compared with about one pound of barnyard manure. Another advantage claimed for not removing the clippings is the fact they form a mulch which helps retain moisture in Fresh compost material goes in at the top, the rotted variety comes out at the bottom. Grass material in this easy to make container. clippings and refuse turn to valuable the soil. It is true that a layer of accumulated clippings will form a mulch in the turf, but often this is a disadvantage rather than an advantage. Such a mulch tends to form a high humidity zone that iscgnduc-ivto the productiof physiological and pathological disorders in the turf. e A VERY common result of this heavy mulch, or thatch as it is sometimes called, is scald. This physiological disorder appears most often in a thick turf that is beautiful and green except for isolated spots that turn yellow and then brown during the heat of summer. r Lawns watered daily or every other day appear more susceptible to the disorder than those receiving less frequent sprinklings. As a matter of fact, scald is seldom found on a thin, neglected turf. A combination of high humidity plus high temperature actually cooks the grass. If there is some doubt in your mind on this point, test the temperature with your hand at the soil line on a bright hot July day; you will be amazed how hot and humid it becomes under a layer of thatch in the turf. Fungus disorders also flourish under warm high humidity conditions produced by a heavy layer of clippings. Even though the fungus diseases, brown patch and dollar spot, common in some areas, are not a serious problem in this area, there are other diseases that may be responsible for. lawn troubles. It is for this reason that many gardeners prefer to catch the clippings and remove them from the turf during the heat of summer. SUCH A procedure Is espe- cially desirable when the turf is thick and growing rapidly requiring cutting every three or four days. A large volume of clippings is produced on a lawn of this type and because of the thickness of the turf, these clippings are often supported above the soil to form a mulch that decomposes very slowly, if at all, and which actually detracts from the appearance of the lawn by producing a brown understory to an otherwise green surface. On a thin undernourished i i siwmded 7 out TAKE f Plywood Bin it For Compost w ANT a compost pile thats neat and tidy? Then why not make one out of plywood. One 4x8 panel of inch exterior-typfir plywood and four pieces of lumber can do the trick. The rails permit even laying and the opening at the bottom allows easy access to the ripe, useful stuff under the pile. You can water the compost a3 much as you like for the plywood is made With waterproof e 2x2-inc- glue. You can even paint the' bin a bright color to contrast with its surroundings, or in green or brown to blend with the background. A free plan showing exactly how to build the compost bin may be obtained by writing the Douglas Fir Plywood Assn., Tacoma, 2, Wash. lawn that requires cutting only once every 7 to 10 days, the quality of clippings produced is insufficient to cause any serious trouble and may be left on with benefit to the soil which probably needs organic matter as well as the nutrients. On a thin lawn the clippings actually rest on the soil and decomposition is much faster than in a heavy thatch of a thick turf. tO YOUR VACATION IN A PADDOCK POOL Have registered Paddock Pool ia your own back yard far as low at $67.60 par month with nothing down and 60 months to pay. Kidneys, Rectangles, Tear Drops and many other shapes to choose from. I CALL HU For Complete Information Free Estimates 4-49- 25 JrtextMuufaid KPcaddlocIc 3075 South Main rat No 2 011,794 Retaining Wall Other Patents Pending L U S Pod HU 25 OUNTAI GARDEORODUCI 1547 East 3900 Sou Salt lake City 17 Utah or CR 24 t Please rush Information on Hold planter Blocks. Nime Address j I City State The Salt Lake Tribune Home Magazine |
