IN THE GARDEN WARDING OFF CANINE BROWNOUT.Byline: JOSHUA SISKIN Q: We have a postage-stamp-size lawn with two female dogs. The dogs take care of their needs on the lawn, which has become a series of brown patches amid the green. We gave the dogs Lawn Guard, a product that contains Brewers' yeast and is supposed to neutralize ammonia, and it may even be helping a little. Is there a type of lawn, or treatment to put on the existing grass, to keep it from going brown? An anti-ammonia something? I am open to seed, sod or whatever. - Ellen Garner Moorpark A: A new Lawn Guard formulation has recently been introduced and you may want to give it a try. This new product, promoted by the manufacturer as an improvement over the original version, which you tried, contains extract from Yucca schidigera Yucca schidigera, n See yucca. , a sword-leafed succulent plant that grows in the Mojave Desert. Promotional material states that this yucca extract ``helps fight lawn burn by binding ammonia in urine to prevent lawn damage.'' Lawn Guard products are available as tablets or liver-flavored treats and may be ordered online at www.drsfostersmith.com. I must add, however, that I have not personally seen evidence that Lawn Guard is as effective as its promotion suggests. The one lawn grass I know of that is virtually impervious to dog urine is kikuyu. Kikuyu is an East African native that may also be more drought-, disease- and pest-resistant than any other lawn grass used in California. Kikuyu just might be the next big thing in California lawn grass. Kikuyu has long been known as a weed that starts out in a grassy expanse as a few small, ropy rop·y also rop·ey adj. rop·i·er, rop·i·est 1. Resembling a rope or ropes. 2. Forming sticky glutinous strings or threads, as some liquids. sprigs - only to take over the entire lawn two or three years later. Although its toughness is legendary, it has seemed too aggressive, thick-bladed and thatchy to merit serious consideration as a desirable alternative to the fine-bladed tall fescue fescue (fĕs`ky  ), any of some 100 species of introduced Old World grasses of the genus Festuca. varieties such as Marathon and Medallion. But this changed with the arrival of Arizona-1 (AZ-1), a new kikuyu cultivar cultivar Any variety of a plant, originating through cloning or hybridization (see clone, hybrid), known only in cultivation. In asexually propagated plants, a cultivar is a clone considered valuable enough to have its own name; in sexually propagated plants, a , a few years ago. AZ-1 is less aggressive, builds less thatch, and has a finer blade than the weedy kikuyu of a previous generation. It also has a short dormancy period, which means it stays green through most of the winter; with AZ-1, you do not have to overseed with winter rye to have green grass in January. AZ-1 seed is being distributed locally by Stover stover stalks of maize plants from which mature corn cobs have been harvested as grain, or grain sorghum plants from which heads have also been removed. The stover is usually fed by turning the cattle into the field and is subject to fungal infection, sometimes causing mycotoxicosis. Seed. If you choose to try it, I suggest going into your local nursery and asking them to order it for you. You should not have to rip out to rap out, to utter hastily and violently; as, to rip out an oath. See also: Rip the green portions of your lawn. Once the AZ-1 has filled in the bare spots, it will soon outgrow outgrow verb To change the relationship with a condition or structure by dint of ↑ age or size; while children outgrow clothing, and certain behaviors, they rarely outgrow diseases–eg, asthma whatever type of grass is growing in the rest of your lawn. Kikuyu sod is also available through Kern Farming Co., (661)859-5724. Others with a dog problem may wish to opt for ground cover or hardscape hard·scape n. The part of a building's grounds consisting of structures, such as patios, retaining walls, and walkways, made with hard materials. [hard + (land)scape.] alternatives. Most sun-loving ground covers - gazania n. 1. any plant of the genus Gazania valued for their showy daisy flowers. Noun 1. gazania - any plant of the genus Gazania valued for their showy daisy flowers flower - a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms , ice plant and ivy geranium, for example - will stand up to dogs quite well, at least in those parkway strips between sidewalk and street. |
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