Greening Grounds Care

Cleaning personnel should evaluate both products and practices when reviewing their grounds care program. Following green landscaping practices often results in healthy soils and vegetation.

Although chemicals will effectively kill weeds, used incorrectly, chemicals won’t build soil that is conducive to growing the grass and plants designed for the area. Instead, evaluate and fix factors associated with the particular weed, such as compacted soil. Solutions to compacted soil include spiking, aerification or chemical conditioning, to name a few.

One green landscaping practice growing in popularity involves topdressing lawns with compost. Compost often is unregulated and untested, and some composts might not be suitable for certain lawns. Pesticide residues and heavy metals found in some compost create concerns for end users.