Question
Hi C.J!

I have read so many different variations of how much to water the lawn and how to kill weeds on grass. We have a system that varies the amount of water based on humidity and temperature. It also has a soaker setting so it waters for two minutes waits ten minutes per zone then completes another two minutes until completed. The peak amount of watering time is 9 minutes four times a week. Is it better to water once a week and make it sopping or spread out the time. The lawn looks pretty good, yet could be better.

We also have two small dogs and a baby so would like to keep the weed killers organic if possible. I read that corn meal and sugar works?? Sounds odd, yet does it work.

Thank you!
LJ

Answer
For watering, I'd recommend a total of 1 - 2 inches of water per week split over three sessions.  Even with 2 times per week, I've seen lawns get stressed out in between.  You'll have to do a little project to measure though.  Turn on the sprinklers one day for about 30 minutes and place several open coffee cans around the yard.  When the watering is done, measure the depth of the water in the cans with a ruler.  Then you'll know how much water goes out in 30 minutes so you can calculate how many total minutes you'd need to water to get 1 - 2 inches (shoot for 1.5).  Split that total time into 3 and that's how many minutes you need to water 3X per week.  Of course, rains should be taken into consideration too, so don't water a day or so after a rain.

Sugar as herbicide?  I've heard of this too, but I've never seen it work, I've never seen a valid study that supports the theory, and I seriously doubt how effective it is.  The argument goes that "weeds don't like rich soils".  The idea that sugar enriches the soil is hogwash.  Organic fertilizers do.  On top of that, weeds are plants, and plants LOVE rich soils.  It's ridiculous to assume that the plants we prefer are the only ones that enjoy healthy, rich soils.  Unfortunately, so many self proclaimed gardeners out there are SO anxious to prove their organic credentials that they'll jump on any pesticide free idea that comes along and tout it's benefits.  I'm all for organics. I just don't subscribe to the theory that if it's organic, it must be a good idea.  Pretty much same goes for corn meal.  It doesn't work, end of story.

At this stage in time, there really are no organic alternatives to chemical weed control.  That's unfortunate, but it's the reality for now.  Hopefully it changes.  SO, I'd recommend to you that you embrace the organic lawn, warts (weeds) and all!  Think about it.  What's wrong with a healthy, thick green lawn that is actually a variety of plants as opposed to a perfect carpet of grass?  If we are going to be able to embrace organics as a new option, we need to change our notions of what makes a perfect lawn.  Weeds aren't so bad.  Neither are insects and fungus.  The lawn can handle a lot if fertilized and watered properly.  What if a patch dies?  Re-seed it.  No biggie.

Good luck LJ.  

-C.J. Brown
www.TheLawnCoach.com