Smart Yard: 60-Minute Lawn Care
"Yardeners"-ordinary homeowners caring for lawns and gardens-dream of a low-maintenance lawn without weeds or pests that requires infrequent mowing or watering. The authors-he's the gardening expert for NBC's Today and she is a garden writer-contend that this dream is a very real possibility, demanding "significant effort in the first year or two," after which the lawn will begin to take care of itself. This non-technical and clearly written guide considers, specifically, the "northern" or "cool weather" grasses, those comprising lawns from Maine to North Carolina and west to the Dakotas as well as the Pacific Northwest. After a discussion of effective techniques for general lawn care, the Balls take on compaction problems, soil rebuilding, drainage and re-seeding; a final section tackles insect and animal pests and grass diseases. While this is not a guide to an entirely organic yard-the authors describe themselves as "reluctant and cautious users of pesticides"-it does offer choices. Advice for weeds ranges from hand-pulling to herbicidal spot-treatment to complete starting over; solutions for insect pests include both beneficial nematodes and insecticidal soaps.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.