The California Wildlife Habitat Garden by Nancy Bauer

Author:Nancy Bauer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780520953505
Publisher: University of California Press

The Mansurs in San Jose, CA, transformed their front lawn into a Monarch Waystation. PHOTOGRAPH BY HERMINA MANSUR.

Getting Rid of the Lawn

Conventional methods of removing lawns depend on the type: a seeded or sod lawn. Sod cutters work on sod lawns, which have a netting underneath; seeded lawns can be dug out or rototilled. However, tilling and hoeing rip apart the layers of soil that house beneficial microorganisms important for plant health. Solarizing the lawn is one method for removing Bermuda grass, a persistent weed grass that is difficult to kill. For this, the lawn is covered with clear plastic and the edges are sealed to keep in the heat. The plastic covering heats up the soil and kills seeds and pathogens through the solarizing effect of the sun’s radiation. It is most effective with high temperatures. While it may be an option for small lawns, covering large areas with plastic that must be sealed becomes more difficult. The least desirable method is killing the lawn with herbicides. Consider the potential risks: the toxic chemicals required to achieve this effect will poison the micro-organisms important to soil health and they will remain in the soil where they may be carried away in garden-water runoff to contaminate waterways and groundwater. It may be expedient, but it carries long-lasting side effects for the health of children, domestic animals, and wildlife, and even the soil.

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