LAWNMOWERS HAVE Itong come in ali shapes and sizes from smail push models ta the large riding mowers used by people like this West Vancouver Parks Board employee who is cutting the grass at John Lawson Park. In an effort to reduce yard waste, many people are now switching to mulching mowers that send grass particles hack into your lawn. ‘Turning your grass clippings into mulch is good for your lawn and lessens yard waste THE ECOLOGICAL trend to use mulching mowers that eliminate yard waste disposal problems also is gaining ac- tive support from agronomists and other turfgrass experts who favor the nutrient benefits that come from returning grass clippings to the soil. “‘The whole industry should be using mulching mowers,” says an associate professor of turfgrass science. **A mulched lawn always looks better than a non-mulched lawn because you have healthier turf when returning clippings as added nutrients.”’ Findings of a university study showed mulching produces a gen- erally greener and healthier lawn because muich retusns nutrients to the soil and allows evaporation at the soil level without adding to thatch buildup. The tests also found that mulch particles decompose and are ab- sorbed by the grass root system within 14 days. More recent research is expected to provide the industry and con- sumers with more definitive in- formation on the advantages of using a mulching mower instead of a convenient rear or side discharge mower. Mulching can reduce nitrogen fertilizer needs by about 30%. Grass clipnings are 20% to 35% crude protein. The average leaf blade is 75% to 90% water, 3% to 6% nitrogen, 1% to 3% potassium, and less than 1% phosphorus. Mulching mowers are sharply gaining popularity because they are ideally suited to meet the de- mands of today’s homecwner. A lawn mower designed for mulching must have a deep mow- ing deck and use a specially engineered multi-pitch blade. The blade and deck combine to sreate air suction to hold grass upright and, once cut, to suspend the clippings in the mower chamber while repeatedly chopp- ing them into finer particles. These small particles are then blown deep into the turf near the soil level wheze they decompose quickly. A conventional side discharge mower blows clippings horizon- tally onto the lawn rather than forcing them down into the turf. The long clippings lie on the lawn surface, and this layer of dead clippings can sometimes become thick enough to exclude sunlight and cause yellowing and weakening of the turf. Friday, April 24, 1992 — North Shore News - 27 z. Z. Sudders Ltd. Glass & Local Manufacturer for 10 vearn & & Aluminum GREENHOUSES Greenhouse Visit our Showroom Kits t sf Complete line of arting a Greenhouse # accessories $7499 $1635.00 Size 87%" x 12'8%” (as shown; te 7425 Hedley Ave. Li Bumeby, B.C. 433-4220 VSE 2R1 erg Phone or write for FREE BROCHURE Oak Barrel Planters Limited quantities lasts a lifetime Mon-Fa. 99 Saturday 946 Sun. & Holiday 9-5 & FLORIST pr Sota io 0 NEWS photo Mike Wakeliald TREATED FENCE PACKAGE THE LOOKS OF ROUGH CEDAR WITHOUT THE COST 40 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY INCLUDES _16 — 1x6 ROUGH TREATED BOARDS CONCRETE & HARDWARE EXTRA TREATED DECKING = FOR A DECK THAT WILL LAST f= 40 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY 4, e 8' to 14’ lengths only * treated hemlock 2x4 S45 TREATED DECKING 32 lin. ft 2x6 S4S TREATED DECKING _ .49 lin. ft. 4x4 S4S TREATED POSTS .75 Sin ft 2x8 S4S TREATED JOISTS -69 lin ft. WOODSTOP BUILDING SUPPLIES 1335 DRAYCOTT ROAD, NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. fr», TEL: 986-5281 IRLY BIRD QO NOT EXACTLY AS SHOWN SOME CUTTING REQUIRED 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.