Dont Roll that Lawn

Every spring some mysterious hormone hits the male of the species and the urge to "do lawn work" strikes.

One rite of spring is act of rolling the lawn. I've never been able to figure out why someone would roll a lawn; in my household, a lawn is for rolling on, not for being rolled. Many local homeowners, no doubt hormonally unbalanced by the passing of winter, like to go out and drag a heavy weight around the lawn. I recently read one newsletter that said the reason for rolling was to make sure the grass roots were in contact with the soil. Right, and I've got a bridge I can sell you. Grass roots, if properly grown, are quite deep and no amount of frost is going to throw them out of contact with the soil. The only thing rolling a lawn accomplishes is to compact the soil.

Rolling the lawn compacts the soil squashing all the soil particles together. This means that air spaces necessary for good root growth are eliminated. It also means that water can't penetrate the soil because there are no holes for it to move into. The bulk of the water runs off the lawn and never penetrates deep into the soil to the root zone level. This run off water takes the dissolving plant food with it so the spring feeding is washed down the sewer. In one fell swoop, rolling a lawn eliminates the necessary aeration, prevents water from entering and assists in the removal of spring applied fertilizer. I can't think of an faster way to help put stress on a lawn than to roll the lawn first thing in the spring.

The professionals at the Turfgrass Institute agree, rolling your lawn is poor start to spring. And you can get even more lawn information at Beginner-gardening.com

Copyright 2005 Douglas Green.

Doug Green is an award winning garden author who has published 7 gardening books and has been in the nursery industry for what seems like forever.

---

Orchid Myths -The Truth

Here are some of the popular orchid myths#1 Orchids are... Read More

A Garden Pond in Your Landscape - Want Water in Your Yard?

A Garden Pond in your Landscape - Want Water in... Read More

Brighten Your Path By Installing Decorative Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting can add a beautiful quality to any home.... Read More

Grey Water- Not Drinking Water- For Your Garden

The average home can reduce their water consumption by around... Read More

Unique Flowers make a memorable gift!

Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral... Read More

Understanding Weeds - But mostly How to Kill em

When I was a child, I loved to pick Dandelions.... Read More

Wind Chimes Soothe The Soul

They can be pretty to look at and soothing to... Read More

22 Fun Things To Do With Your Dozen Rose Gift

Your dozen rose gift doesn't only have to decorate your... Read More

Park Benches - Making the Right Choice

When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More

Storm Warnings For Ponds

California has earthquakes; we in the south and east coast... Read More

Starting Seedlings Indoors

Unless you have access to a greenhouse, or something like... Read More

Gardening - Natural Science NOT Rocket Science

Don't force yourself out of the most profitable hobby in... Read More

Feng Shui in the Garden

"The Ancient Art of Placement" called Feng Shui (pronounced phung... Read More

Home for a Gnome?

Kitsch is defined by several dictionaries as relating to poor... Read More

Organic Roses in the Flower Garden

Many people believe growing their flowers and vegetables organically is... Read More

Patios And Garden Pavers

Is your concrete or asphalt driveway an eyesore? Do you... Read More

High Intensity Discharge Grow Light (Generic)

HID lamps are categorized in three groups :Mercury Vapor ,... Read More

How To Choose Water Garden Plants

So. The water garden bug has bitten. You've dug and... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (Part 5) Plant Growth

PLANT GROWTH & PHYSIOLOGY. (Part 5)There are three classes of... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Landscaping Schemes - Do They Add Value-Is It The Chicken Or The Egg?

Have you noticed how everything looks great at the moment... Read More

How To Build A Waterfall

The number one, most asked question that I receive about... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (part 4) Environment

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.The Success or Failure of Your Plants... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (Part 3) Lighting

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.An Introduction To Indoor Plant Grow Lights.There... Read More

Get your Garden Cooking with Friable Soil

Oh sure, fried green tomatoes are ok; but I'll take... Read More

Gallica Roses

Very soon stocks of new season's roses will... Read More

The Benefits of Using Landscape Software

If you enjoy making your yard as beautiful as it... Read More

Bonsai Trees - Our Own Little Forest

Bonsai trees have been grown in China and Japan for... Read More

How to Win the War Against Slugs and Snails

Slugs are one of the most hated of garden pests.... Read More

Lawn Care Information

Recent lawn care information reports that a lot of us... Read More

Rose - The Flower of Love and Romance

What is the flower that everyone visualizes and associates with... Read More

Think Vintage for Your Garden

Container gardeners take note. Tired of clay pots? Think vintage,... Read More

Basics of Pruning Roses

Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded... Read More

Do You Know About A Bamboo Orchid

Bamboo Orchid PlantWhen you think of bamboo you really think... Read More