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Brent Ayles

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Even though we may think summer and gardening is behind us, there are many important things to consider when it comes to our landscapes. In fact, the fall season, September through November, is one of the best times to garden and work on those projects around the house that we did not have time to do this summer.

During the months of July and August we tend to experience a wave of extreme heat and dry weather.

For the most part this year, especially August, we have received above average rainfall. While most of us rather enjoy the heat, this drought provides optimal conditions for chinch bugs to produce their crop. The chinch bug is a common lawn pest found within the eastern areas.

During spring or early summer, when temperatures are beginning to rise, the adults will breed and within a month the females will lay two to three hundred eggs. The eggs are laid at the roots of the grass and mature within one month's time. The adults are approximately 4mm in length, black and have a white spot between their wing pads. The nymphs, immature chinch bug, are bright red with white bands across their back and are wingless. Nymphs develop into adults by July with the second generation appearing in August.

Poorly maintained lawns are preferred by chinch bugs. Optimal conditions include compacted soils, high levels of nitrogen, accumulated thatch and a lack of moisture. The damage caused by this lawn pest are those irregular dead patches that will spread throughout the summer months. These bugs inject a toxin into the grass blade, while eating, that will wilt the grass, eventually killing it, causing the grass to dye, if the damage is severe enough.

Infestation levels can be determined by regular monitoring. A healthy lawn will be able to tolerate a low level infestation, which is considered to be two to three bugs within one square foot, while turf that is stressed or in poor condition will not fair as well with a low infestation level.

If eight to 10 bugs have been located within one square foot, the infestation level is serious enough to damage a healthy lawn.

Control product applications, while effective at certain times of application, do not get rid of chinch bugs, they only control them for a limited period of time. Therefore if nothing else is done, chinch bugs will be back next year.

They are only a quick fix solution, but the good news is that the chinch bug can be completely and sustainably controlled by practicing some preventative measures that will help your lawn improve tolerance to damage. Aerating your lawn will help to reduce soil compaction, remove thick layers of thatch, do not over fertilize as this will encourage insect activity, keep soil moist to a depth of six to eight cm by watering your lawn thoroughly but infrequently during the summer months and do not cut the grass too short as it will result in stressing the grass due to reduced moisture retention. One of the most effective cultural practices involves topdressing your entire lawn area. Increasing organic matter helps reduce thatch and out competes insects and weeds. These are all good lawn management practices that can be done to help encourage a healthy lawn, which in turn will make it less susceptible to insect and weed infestation. As we work to make our landscapes more natural patience is critical. This is not a quick fix but yet a commitment, a commitment to providing a healthier and more sustainable landscape, one in which is not dependent upon chemicals.

As we set the stage, there are many ways in which we can landscape with "The Natural Approach." There are many aspects of the landscape to consider. From the design/ build stages, to the proper tree in the proper place, using native landscape trees and shrubs that are more tolerable to our climate, to cultural practices on how we maintain our lawns and gardens. We can all garden and landscape more naturally.

The reality is we can have beautiful landscapes naturally. Over the next few months, we are going to work through a model that will help us all take a closer look together. Someday we may not have a choice.

Naturally yours,

* The Natural Approach appears the first Saturday of each month and takes a look at lawn and gardening issues and environmental concerns. Brent Ayles, a certified horticultural technician, is vice president of Ayles Natural Landscaping Ltd., Riverview.