Green Me Now

UPDATE: Low-maintenance Lawn Retrofit

While the Pearl’s Premium grass is growing in nicely following our mid-September planting of a 1,000-square-foot test patch, we note with some dismay the still significant presence of weeds despite the severe cut that initiated the project.

The dismay stems in part from our skipping a step recommended by the seed’s inventor, Jackson Madnick, to spray a natural product called Phydura, what he calls “a healthy alternative to chemical weed killers,” prior to planting. We skipped the step because we couldn’t find the product among our retailers, and those we asked were unfamiliar with it (see “Lawn Retrofit Eyes Low Maintenance,” GreenRetros, September 30, 2009). As Madnick notes, Phydura is available online.

For the best weed control, Madnick says to plant 7-1/2 lbs of seed per 1,000 square feet. I had planted 5 lbs, the minimum density. He says with the heavier seeding he has no concerns about weeds next year. He is unconcerned about the weeds remaining in our newly planted patch.

An additional 5-lb bag of seed cost $35.07, which we halved for our project calculation. The total now stands at $188.18 plus, as mentioned, the physical toll on the aerator operator’s body (see “Hope Springs Among the Weeds,” GreenRetros, October 14, 2009). That dollar cost, of course, needs to be balanced against the future lawnmower maintenance, labor, and oil and gas costs yet to be incurred with the maintenance of a more traditional lawn. “Installing Pearl's is a little work up front but gives you time, money and water savings in the long term,” says Madnick.

Regarding the physical toll on the aerator operator: we have since learned that technique is nearly as important as gasoline in running this machine. One reader suggests going around the yard in circles with the aerator and not in straight, perpendicular lines, as we did. Circles cut down on the turning, and you can do the corners last. Another idea is to pull the aerator behind a lawn tractor.

And, of course, remove the removable weights before loading and unloading the machine.