eme Yard Doctor Helps Cure Common Lawn Problems (NAPSA)—What bugs Ameri- cans about their lawns? In a recent national survey, nearly half of the respondents named weed control as the most common recurring lawn care problem. Cutting the grass too short or letting it get too long between cuts wascited by 28 percent of respondents, while 25 percent reported r Te OM SPC ASe mv a | eS _ ‘| oss a“ - ; a that insect control was a major concern. Rounding out the top lawn care problems were damage caused by small animals (25 percent) and over or under-watering (24 percent). Proper lawn mowing techniques can resolve these and many other common lawn woes, says Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor Trey Rogers, Ph.D. Rogersis a nationally known turfgrass expert and consultant to Briggs & Stratton, the world’s largest manufacturer of engines for outdoor power equipment, including lawn mowers. “Seventy percent of the lawn problems homeowners experience are preventable and related to mowing practices. Improper mowing techniques can significantly impact the health of the grass and diminish its ability to ward off common lawn problems,” he says. “My standard rule of thumb is never cut more than one-third of the grass blade during a mowing. By following this one-third rule, youll allow the remaining twothirds of the grass plant to develop deep roots and create dense, healthy turf that chokes out weeds, reduces insect infesta- tions and retains moisture.” This season, take advice from the Yard Doctor on how to tackle your lawn problems. Control weeds. Promote a dense, healthy turf by following proper mowing, watering andfertilizing practices. Control weeds early in their life cycle by apply- | 7 i * ae F ow le ‘ — yi “ay ‘ 8s ot , a ere f pis rae P Ho. 1 aN Aope Me) eae SAREAO A A few simple steps can help keep your lawn looking green and healthy. ing herbicide to weeds like craberass in early spring and broadleaf weeds like dandelions in the fall. Follow the one-third rule. Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade during a mowing. Eliminate insects. Reduce thatch buildup by aerating the lawn and use chemicals to control specific types of insects (i.e. white erubs, army worms, bluegrass billbugs). Watch for small animals. Rake out damaged areas, apply good quality seed, mulch and keep watered. Controlling insects like erubs will cause small animals to move on. e Apply the correct amount of water. Make sure the lawn re- ceives one inch of water weekly during the growing season via irrigation or rainfall. Water early in the day. For more information on the Briggs & Stratton lawn care problems survey, including the Yard Doctor’s prescription for growing and maintaining a healthy, beautiful lawn, log on to the Web site at www.briggsandstratton.com and click on “Yard Doctor.”
