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Show Cope with Lawn Problems in Community HoiTje And either by keeping them off the lawn or hose the spots to dilute the concentration of salts, etc., that may cause the discolora- Heritage By Melvin S. Burninghan USU Extension area Horticulturist Probably nothing enhances the appearance of our communities more than thrifty, well-kelawns. We have a lot of them, but we also have some lawn problems. In hot summer weather we most often see a problem of a burned appearance in lawns resulting from drought. You can go down the streets and see about a third of the lawns that have drought problems caused by insufficient or improper irrigation. Soon after fertilizing you will probably need to water your lawn about every four or five days, and then as the grass t in the becomes summer, once a week may be plenty often. This will vary with types of soil. Gravely or sandy soil will require more frequent irrigation than clay semi-dorman- soil. Some lawns just look unthrifty. Often this is a result of mowing too close. The only time we suggest mowing close is the first cutting in the spring. At that time you can lower the cutter bar on your mowing to machine down to one-has of an inch to cut off all the old dead stuff. But after that first cutting, if you want a really healthy looking lawn, raise the cutter bar to about two inches. Leave it that way the rest of the summer and mow frequently. Some people have the idea that they wont have to mow so often if they really scalp the lawn each time they mow. They lower the cutter bar to about a half-incThat reduces the vitality of the greas and encourages the weeds to grow. In hot weather, avoid throwing your grass into shock by letting it get up so high that you cut too much off all at once. When you cut down below the portion of the grass that has been exposed to the sun, you cut into new tender material. Then the sun bleaches and bums the part that hasnt had a lf three-fourth- h. chance to toughen. We suggest that if you plan to let your grass be two inches high, mow just an inch off when its three inches high. That may mean more frequent mowing than you anticipated, but you can let the short clippings filter down through the greas and wont have to catch or rake them. In fact, leaving short clippings on the lawn helps put a mulch on the soil surface to keep the lawn cool. Weeds present another very common lawn problem in the community. They thrive best when improper mowing, poor fertilization and other environmental conditions encourage them and discourage the desired grass. Sometimes they are unintentionally planted by planting seed that has the undesirable plants in it. Weeds come in many shapes. Thats understandable since a weed is any plant growing where you dont want it, anwhether its a broad-leafe- d nual, such as the common dancourse delion, or a broad-leafe- d bunch grass such as Tall Feasce. Some lawn weeds may require special attention such as grubbing out or spraying with the proper weed killer. But most of the weed problems will diminish by following these three important management steps for lawn care: (1) fertilize heavily to promote a good thick turf; (2) water thoroughly and not too often; and (3) clip high and often. In fertilizing, remember that lawn grasses require a high nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen is the first big number you notice on the fertilizer bag. Phosphate is the second and potash the third. A soil sample sent to the Utah State University Soils Laboratory will indicateyany deficiencies in phosphate. Most Utah soils already have plenty of potash. So look for fertilizers with the biggest number at the front. You see some lawns turn yellow from putting too much nitrogen on, especially during isanaturaL. for people on the go! Milk has a way with foods. Try a refreshing cold glass with your meal and see. Milk is a natural. UTAH DAIRY COMMISSION hot weather. If you put fertilizer on during hot weather, apply it very lightly and immediately water it well. However, its better to time the fertilizer for cooler periods. Some holi- tion. day guidelines for applications are about April Fools Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. If your blue grass is thin and needs extra encouragement, add more fertilizer in r. Insects and animals cause heir share of lawn problems in he area. Bill bugs and white grubs are the main insect offenders. Application of Chlor-dan- e or Diazginon, as directed on the insecticide label, will control them. Night crawlers help aerate lawn soil but the bumps they make on the lawn when it begins to dry are particularly objectionable to some people. Any of a number of formulations can be used to control them. In some areas of the community gophers burrowing underground, making raised tunnels and dirt mounds, constitute a vexing problem. This seems to be more of a problem in parks and other public grounds than in home lawns. Poison bait or traps set in their burrows will usually remove them. Domestic animal pets also present a lawn problem not uncommon to the community. Dogs arp the main culprits, leaving feces to be removed and urine spots that make discolorations on the lawn. You can cope with the problem . People are the source of many lawn problems in the community. These are caused by improper management, abuse by heavy foot traffic, or wrong treatments that do more damage than good. An example of the latter is power raking. It has been highly promoted in some areas. It can do more harm than good if it isnt needed. Usually, there is no need to power rake at all unless there is lots of heavy thatch that prevents the water from penetration. In that case, the best time would be in the fall or early spring. Lawn problems that stem from peoples ignorance or neglect require education to correct. Part of the problem on public grounds stems from frequent turnover and lack of training of caretakers. A neglect problem on private grounds is found frequently on vacant lots and rental property where there is no committment to take care of the grounds. Many lovely lawns in communities throughout the state are proof that lawn problems can be licked with proper management. For further information on this important topic, contact your local Utah State University County Extension office. Buy, Rent, or Self With a Classified! RECREATE THE PAST By Ben Helms MaLeck Woodcraft It can be both easy and economical to transform a bedroom or guest room into an elegant Early American room, if you use your head and your hands. COLONIAL LOOKING GLASS Elaborately carved frames set off rare and cherished mirrors of early America. You can create, for exambed ple, your own four-postfrom four posts and a piece of plywood for the IT'S NO BULL . . . 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