Re:lawn alternative
- To: "m*@ucdavis.edu"
- Subject: Re:lawn alternative
- From: D* L*
- Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 15:45 -0500
In 1990 I replaced one of the Bentgrass (very thirsty and disease prone) lawns
in the Kaiser Center Roof Garden with one composed of 'Bonsai'dwarf Tall Fescue
grass, White Clover, Yarrow, and Chamomile.
We mow it at 3" every 7-10 days, fertilize it once a year only and
it needs significantly less water to be happy. No herbicides are needed to keep
it looking "tidy" since it isn't a monoculture, and since they would kill the
Yarrow,Chamomile, and Clover. We hand pull the rare really obnoxious weeds. The
yarrow and chamomile fill in the dryer spots, the clover the wetter areas, and
the Fescue grows where it's happiest. It's the best looking turf up here even
though it uses the least resources. I'm hoping that the powers that be will
finally let me replace the other lawns with this same mix
starting in 2001. I just finished a budget meeting with the general manager of
the property about this very thing, and he didn't laugh
me out of the room this year as he has in the previous 9...
Come and have a look any weekday dawn to dusk. Email me privately, or call
510-271-6197,if you want a tour or directions.
Best regards,
Deborah Lindsay
Oakland, Calif.
