Subject: Re: To winterize lawn OR Non-native weeds From: Cheryl Joy Lipton <cheryljoy@earthlink.net> Organization: @Home Network Date: Fri, 11 Aug 00 13:38:26 Message-ID: <MOD$000811.886@rec.gardens.ecosystems> References: <MOD$000709.8446@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
Just a quick response to the "natural thriving" of some of those things we
battle constantly: I sure do agree that grass lawns are pretty stupid,
especially the size and frequency of them and all the terrible chemicals we
apply, but just to let you know, also unnatural, or non-native, to use a more
accurate term, are Queen Anne's Lace, Dandelions, Chicory, some clovers and some
thistles (Canada thistle for example is a non-native Asian species that is on
the Federal Noxious Weed list). Those listed, to name only a few, are just as
unnatural as a lawn.
Cheryl
enviro@flyhigh.com wrote:
> To winterize or not to winterize lawn > > "Winterize your lawn", the big sign outside the garden store commanded. I've > fed it, watered it, mowed it, raked it and watched a lot of it die away. Now > I'm supposed to winterize it? I hope it's too late. Grass lawns have to be > the stupidest thing we've come up with outside of a thong swimsuits! We > constantly battle dandelions, Queen's lace, thistle, violets, chicory and > clover that thrive naturally, so we can grow grass that must be nursed > through an annual four-step chemical dependency. > > Imagine the conversation The Creator might have with St. Francis about this: > > "Frank you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on > down there in the Midwest? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle > and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. > Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with > abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracted butterflies, > honeybees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors > by now. But all I see are these green rectangles." > > " It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. > They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great extent to kill > them and replace them with grass". > > " Grass? But its so boring. Its not colorful. It doesn't attract > butterflies, birds and bees, Only grubs and sod worms. Its' temperamental > with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that green grass > growing there? > > " Apparently so, Lord, They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. > They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poising any other plant that > crops up in the lawn". > > " The spring rains and cool weather probably make grass grow really fast. > That must make the Suburbanites happy". > > " Not exactly, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes > twice a week". > > " They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?" > > " Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags." > > " They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?" > > " No, sir. Just the opposite. They pay to throw it away". > > " Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And > when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?" > > " Yes, sir." > > " These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the > rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot > of work." > > " You aren't going to believe this Lord. When the grass stops growing so > fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can > continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it." > > " What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer > stroke of genius, > if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty > an d shade in the summer . In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a > natural blanket > to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they > rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of > life." > > " You better sit down, Lord. The suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As > soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and have them > hauled away." > > " No! What do they do to protect the shrub and the tree roots in the winter > and keep the soil moist and loose?" > > " After throwing away your leaves, they go out and buy something they call > mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in the place of leaves." > > " and where do they get this mulch?" > > " They cut down trees and grind them up." > > "Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. Saint Catherine, you're > in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?" > > " Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It's a real stupid movie about. > > " Never mind I think I just heard the whole story." > > -- > Sincerely, > ***************************** > John A. Keslick, Jr., Tree Biologist, Tree Biological Laboratory, > Keslick and Son Modern Arboriculture, > West Chester, P.A. > > Keslick and Son Modern Arboriculture - http://www.chesco.com/~treeman