As we move through the holiday season and reflect on the many blessings of this past year, we can also include those derived from our lawns and gardening activities. Do you remember the hot days of summer when our lawns were as much as 30 degrees cooler than the paved street or driveway, or how about the tremendous capabilities for noise abatement, filtering of dust and pollens from the air, prevention of erosion and water filtration, production of oxygen to breathe, and the sheer gratification from their aesthetics and beauty?

Not only did your efforts throughout the growing season keep your lawn healthy, but your own physical and mental health in exercise and stress relief was benefited as well.

This will be the last turf tip of the year. Let me take this opportunity to thank each of you for your interest each week and especially for your questions, inputs and ideas throughout the year. I hope that these tips have been helpful in keeping your lawn beautiful and healthy. In extending my greetings to you I wish you a very joyous holiday season and successful lawn maintenance 2012.

Published December 19, 2011

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu