Lance Walheim - Lawn Care for Dummies, Mini Edition

Lawn Care For Dummies, Mini Edition

by Lance Walheim and the Editors of the National Gardening Association

Lawn Care For Dummies, Mini Edition

Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Copyright 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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ISBN: 978-0-470-45097-0

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Introduction

A lawn is so much more than just a patch of grass; its the soft spot in your yard where you play with your kids, entertain, or lie down to relax. A well-kept lawn is also a source of pride that tells the world that this is my house, and I take care of my house and the people who live in it. A lawn is a thing of beauty, a green meadow, bright and healthy, that makes everything else in the garden look a whole lot better. Grass lawns also buffer some of the harsher edges of the environment we live in, reducing dust, producing oxygen, cooling the air, and cutting down on glare and reflected heat. From almost every angle, lawns are good things.

However, theres another reality to lawns one that you cant ignore. Lawns can take a lot of work to maintain properly. How much time do you want to spend mowing, fertilizing, and watering your lawn? Time, after all, is precious. Also, water which a lawn needs in copious amounts is a valuable resource that is also precious. Gardeners who live where summer drought is the norm are rethinking the role of lawns in their gardens should they reduce the size or, in reality, do they need a lawn at all? Water shortages can happen anywhere, and conserving natural resources should be a goal for everyone.

Still, theres nothing wrong with having a lawn. You can have a lawn, and a great one at that but we want you to have one thats not a burden to you or the environment. In this book, we show you how.

Icons Used in This Book

As you read through this book, youll come across some icons in the margins, which we use to point out particularly important information:

Signals pitfalls or dangerous situations.

Flags inside information and helpful advice that experienced lawn growers live by.

Highlights ecological tips and ways to be earth-friendly.

Points out key aspects of lawn care, ones that have an important impact on the overall health and beauty of your lawn.

Where to Go from Here

Youve got your minibook copy of Lawn Care For Dummies now what? This minibook is a reference, so if you need information on mowing, head to 4. Or if youre interested in finding out about watering, go straight to Chapter 2. Or heck, start with Chapter 1 and read the chapters in order... you rebel. If you want even more advice on lawn care, from choosing a grass that thrives in your climate to repairing a damaged lawn, check out the full-size version of Lawn Care For Dummies simply head to your local bookseller or go to www.dummies.com !

Chapter 1

Designing Your Perfect Lawn

In This Chapter

Using a lawn to make your yard look better

Minimizing maintenance

I f youre getting ready to plant a lawn, you have to start by answering the question, What do I want my lawn to do for me and my landscape? This chapter can help you get what you want out of your lawn.

What Is a Lawn?

A lawn is a crowded city of grasses. Not just any grasses, but ones that can grow closely together to form a nice, even carpet of green. Not just an even carpet of green, but a resilient, soft surface that can stand up to people walking or playing on it.