Having been a horticultural professional for nearly thirty years, I disagree with some of your information. Lawn grass plays a significant role in producing oxygen and helps to regulate climate. Other benefits of a healthy lawn include helping the environment by stabilizing soil and reducing air pollution, noise, heat, dust, and glare. Southern turf grasses grow rapidly when temperatures climb; thus I think your recommendation of less frequent mowing for all turf grasses across the board poor advice. To achieve the healthiest, thickest grass, we recommend mowing one time per week during peak growing season. Thick grass will choke out most weeds, thus eliminating the necessity of using any type of weed control. Healthy turf is also better able to withstand weather extremes. It is recommended that only 1/3rd blade of grass be cut at a time. Mowing at less frequent intervals will require greater percentages be cut. Grass should never be bagged and thrown away; it burdens landfills unnecessarily. Allow the mowed portions to filter down between the blades of grass and act as mulch. This will help your lawn use less water and also ensures that one does not remove nitrogen and other vital nutrients when they are mowing. Again, mowing at less frequent intervals will necessitate removing the cut grass rather than allowing it to be processed naturally back into the growth cycle.
We use organics whenever possible and were one of the first companies to do so. Chemicals leach into the water table and eventually into streams, rivers, and lakes. The city of Austin has requested that people stop using weed-and-feed products, yet oddly still allow it to be sold at retail stores. We recommend soil foods over grass foods...feeding the soil is just a better horticultural practice. As far as testing the soil, it depends. Here in Austin, the west part of the city is rocky and alkaline. When we went into business in 1979 we used to test soil. After several years and hundreds of soil tests we realized there is no need...the water is alkaline, so the soil is naturally alkaline. Of course acid rains theoretically can and will change pH, but so far we have not seen any lasting effect on pH.
Those chemical lawn treatment companies usually fill out their little forms before they get to your house. Steer clear of them. Since that is the only service they provide, they will definitely try to sell you every chemical treatment under the sun.
From the American Lawn Industry Website:
Among the environmental benefits of a healthy, well-maintained lawn are:
Oxygen production: a 50'x50' backyard produces enough oxygen for a family of four.
Cooling effect: eight average healthy front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning - enough for 16 average homes.
Pollution control: dust and smoke particles from the atmosphere are trapped by blades of grass. Lawns also convert carbon dioxide to oxygen.
Water quality: dense, healthy turf slows down and filters runoff, removing contaminants and trapping soil from running off as well.
Other links that you might find of interest.
The National Sustainable Agricultural Service view link
Purdue University view link
Thanks for providing the information..but it is seriously in contrast to current research. This is my field and I try to remain abreast of new information as it becomes available. You recommend some practices that are outdated and some attitudes about grass that are outdated as well.
Rinda West may be Eons gardening expert, but she needs to stay off the grass. That's my turf....pun intended.
