Soy SET EAN EE TOE AMINE TE ET

eres

AS RESIDENTS of the North Shore, you must agree that
the historic phrase ‘‘the meek shall inherit the earth’’ is
most probably a misprint and surely was intended to read
“the moss shall inherit the earth.”

This week we will look at some
of the things which you can do to
control this and other pests in the
lawn. The bad news is, control is
as good as it gets, total eradication
forever more is currently an unfor-
tunate impossibility.

It must be understood that the
first line of defence in the age long
battle against pests in the lawn is
simply good maintenance prac-
tices. Just as in any organism,

keeping fit is the best way to fend -

off the attacks of invaders.
ACIDIC SOIL

As in all areas which suffer
periods of heavy rainfall, our soils
are usually excessively ecidic. The
acidity of soils is measured by its
PH factor from 0 (acid) to 10
(alkaline). A PH factor of 7 is

‘hom

neutral and most turf grasses
prefer the 6 to 6.5 range.

Acidic soil such as ours will reg-
ister from a low of PH 3.5 to 4.5
and this results in diminished
growth and, in severe cases, the
death of some of the turf; Ken-
tucky and Merion Bluegrasses are
among the most susceptible.

The lack of calcium is the cause
ef this. As the rain leaches the cal-
cium out of the soil, the PH level
drops, some of the nutrients
become locked up in the soil and
the plants Jose the ability to absorb
the nutrients which are available.

RESTORE CALCIUM

In order te restore the level of
caicium in the soil we add calcium
carbonate or limestone at the rate
of four Ibs. per 100 square feet to

raise the PH level one point.
Dolomitic lime is the best form of
limestone to apply because it has
magnesium carbonate as well
which is a very beneficial trace
element.

15 - Friday, February 20, 1987 -

of control before you apply the
dolomite lime; otherwise you
would be removing the lime with
the moss,

My method is to begin with
dethatching; a process of ‘*comb-

over the

garden gate
by Geoff Tobiasson

Early spring is the most effective
period fer applying lime; just be-
fore the heavy rains so the calcium
will be available for the beginning
of the growing season.

If you already have a moss pro-
biem, you must begin a program

| Morrison

ing” the turf, removing moss and
matted grass thereby allowing the
grass to re-establish itself.

Walking on the grass and even
rain falling on the grass can com-
pact the soil to such a degree that

water and air will not properly

North Shore News

pass through it. This will further
acidify the root zone and inhibit
grass growth.

Areation is a process of opening
regularly spaced holes in the turf.

RENT EQUIPMENT

The power equipment needed to

perform these tasks is available in -~-

most rental shops or, your local
garden centre will sometimes carry
manually operated forms (hard
work}.

After the moss is removed and
the site areated, apply some type
of moss killer; either formulations
of iron sulphate or cryptocidal
soap (mosses and algae are
members of the cryptogam fami-
ly). This will eliminate any residue
moss and give you a head start in
tepairing any damage.

Now you can apply the dolomite
lime, and begin a regular
maintenance program of feeding,
watering, and cutting, but more
about this in a later column.

lity makes!

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¢ Has attended many seminars in Canada & the USA on up-to-
date cleaning methods, and has been the !teader in
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previously uncleanable (Haitian cotton, non-colorfast fabrics).

* Has been a committee member for course outlines at PVI
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I

Vancouver

3004 W. 41st Avenue
Phone: 261-2278

if you’re looking for QUALITY & SERVICE call

Rug & Furniture Cleaning Ltd.

24 hr.
Answering Service

251-7013

The Yihmate in © Custem Design

; Dimenvie ay

North Vancouver
1099 Marine Drive
Phone: 985-6148

Frank Diehl

North Shore Pt. Coq., Cogq.,
Pt. Moody

986-7047

461-7468