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Jun 3, 2009 10:39 pm US/Central
Minneapolis Man's Synthetic Solution To Lawn Care
(WCCO)
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Dan Aronson got his backyard covered in synthetic turf for approximately $20 a square foot installed.
CBS
The dry conditions are taking a toll on our yards. But a Minneapolis man doesn't need to fuss with watering and lawn care to keep his backyard green.
Dan Aronson doesn't like showing people certain parts of his lawn.
"We have areas here in the front which get direct sunlight and that really stresses out the grass," said Minneapolis Homeowner Aronson.
He has a frazzled front lawn. Aronson's no fan of yard work, though he does try to keep up the property.
"I try to maintain it so it's not an eyesore," Aronson said.
Patches of brown are common in this dry spell. That's why lawn experts say it's important to water in the early morning, not evening and give lawn a good soaking, at most, every other day.
"In short spurts, all it does is allow the grass to get wet and then the sun, when it beats down on it, it fries that grass," said Bloomington Home Depot Manager Ken Stoll.
Stoll suggests that homeowners should water for a longer amount of time so it gets deeper into the roots, so it's getting deeper into the soil.
In dry conditions, you want to make sure you don't cut your grass too short. You'll want to adjust your mower deck so it's three and a half inches from the soil.
Aronson's concerned about his front yard, but out back, he's not mowing -- he's blowing. Aronson used a leaf blower to clear his synthetic turf back yard of leaves.
"I'm the guy with the AstroTurf in the backyard," Aronson said.
"We had this installed, it's virtually maintenance free, requires no water, requires no fertilizer and no mowing," he said.
And now there's less yard work and more time to play.
"I think it's actually taken a couple strokes off the game," Aronson said.
"You missed dad, you missed it," Max Aronson said, as his dad tried to make a putt on the synthetic turf back yard.
Aronson got his backyard covered in synthetic turf for approximately $20 a square foot installed. For those who still have real grass to maintain, you'll find tips below.
- Watering daily will not drought-proof your lawn. That short, crisp, golf course look will actually hinder your lawn's health during dry spells.
- Mow high when it's dry. Grass that's not too short will help develop a deep, extensive root system. Allow grass to grow thicker, and help soil retain moisture better. Also, make sure your mower blade is sharp. Grass recovers more quickly and easily from a clean cut.
- Water infrequently and deeply.
- Over-watering can lead to stunted growing conditions and the onset of disease.
- Water in the morning. Not only does watering early in the day minimize lost water to wind and evaporation, but it also decreases the chance of disease, which thrives in wet, nighttime conditions.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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