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Integrated Pest Management for Lawns: A Practical Guide

Integrated Pest Management for Lawns: A Practical Guide

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What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

It is a fancy way of saying we use common sense when deciding to introduce Fertilizers or Control Materials into the environment. This means that we educate ourselves about the lawn pests in your area. This may include weeds, insects, or lawn disease, but we always start with the least impactful on the environment.

The first step is to identify the type of grass you have. Is it a cool or warm season variety? This will come into play with each area we discuss today. So, whether we are discussing soil health, watering, or mowing, it is very important to learn which type(s) of grass you have.

Get To Know Your Lawn

Just like every other feature in your home, we need to understand our lawns. Think about how well baking would go if you didn’t understand how to use your oven, or laundry, if you didn’t know how to use your washing machine. Since your lawn didn’t come with instructions (and most of us wouldn’t read them anyway), we are here to assist you with all your lawn care needs. Did you know that if your soil is happy and healthy, your lawn will be too? This is what separates NaturaLawn of America from most other lawn care companies. Our holistic approach cultivates and nurtures your soil while providing your lawn with the required nutrients from our proprietary fertilizers.

The Three W’s of Watering

Another area to focus on is watering, just remember the three w’s. 

  1. Window – The best time of day to water is in the early morning hours, as this removes the nighttime dew that can cause lawn disease.
  2. Weather – Let Mother Nature do her part. If you have an irrigation system, ensure you use a rain sensor that shuts off the system when it is raining.
  3. Watering Wisely – Water is a valuable resource that has both environmental and economic impacts. If you are paying for water, any reduction will be cost savings.

Mastering the Mow

Now, when we are learning about our lawn, we can’t forget about mowing. Whether you have a mowing company or are a do-it-yourselfer, mowing is key to impressing your neighbors. For instance, did you know you can have a 70%-80% reduction in lawn weeds by simply mowing at four inches? I know it doesn’t look its best at times, so try not to mow any lower than three and a half inches for cool-season lawns. However, we can assure you that if you try it, you will not be disappointed.

Bringing It All Together

The personal relationship you have with your lawn will determine how envious your neighbors are. The next steps are up to you. We hope you will use some of the tips provided to make your lawn and the environment the best it can be!

Written by John Steiner — Franchise Business Consultant for NaturaLawn of America

John Steiner has been with NaturaLawn of America since 1999 as a Regional Manager. He is a licensed, seasoned lawn care professional with over 38 years of experience in the Green Industry. In addition, John has opened franchise locations throughout the United States. John has conducted business development and technical training for NaturaLawn of America and other lawn care operations. He holds certification in Managing the Training Function, Instructional Design as well as Creative Training Techniques. 

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