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Why does grass grow more slowly in winter?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-moore-1779">Gregory Moore</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>A reader of The Conversation recently wrote in to ask:</p> <blockquote> <p>Why does grass grow slower in winter?</p> </blockquote> <p>It is a great question and at first the answer might seem obvious. There is less sunlight and it is colder in the winter months. This affects grass and plant growth in general.</p> <p>However, there is more to it than meets the eye. Different grasses respond to and cope with winter in different ways.</p> <h2>Grass: a recent arrival</h2> <p>Grasses are relatively recent arrivals in plant evolution, first appearing in fossil records about <a href="https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/125/3/1198/6109905">65 million years ago</a> and becoming widespread in parts of Asia by about <a href="https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/125/3/1198/6109905">30 million years ago</a>.</p> <p>Geologically, and in plant evolutionary time scales, this is quite recent. It means much of grass evolution has occurred under modern geological, environmental and climatic conditions. So, more than most plants, grasses have adapted to a modern, if pre-human, world. This affects their climatic responses.</p> <p>Some of our best-known grasses evolved from ancestors that first appeared on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago.</p> <p>Their physiology developed to cope with an Earth that had a very different atmosphere from that of today.</p> <p>These plants have a type of photosynthesis called <a href="https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pastures-and-rangelands/native-pastures/what-are-c3-and-c4-native-grass">C3 metabolism</a>.</p> <h2>What is C3 metabolism?</h2> <p>C3 metabolism is about how the plant does the job of turning light, water and air into food (photosynthesis).</p> <p>About <a href="https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095545945;jsessionid=F1D6CE7E04A3DF20C48A6949F4A2F683#:%7E:text=C3%20plants%20make%20up%20over,let%20in%20more%20carbon%20dioxide">95%</a> of all plants you can think of – trees, shrubs, annuals, fruits, vegetables and many traditional (often called cool season) grasses – have C3 metabolism.</p> <p>Plants with this form of photosynthesis tend to grow well in a wide range of environmental conditions, even if the temperature is cooler and there are higher than usual levels of carbon dioxide in the air.</p> <p>They tend to remain green all year round if water is available, and may continue to grow well through late autumn. Many are frost-tolerant, but they may become dormant in hot dry weather.</p> <p>C3 grasses, such as ryegrass, do slow their growth for the winter months as sunlight becomes less intense. Their metabolic processes (in this case, photosynthesis) slow down when the temperature <a href="https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pastures-and-rangelands/native-pastures/what-are-c3-and-c4-native-grass">drops</a>.</p> <p>Biological reactions are chemical reactions, after all. The rate of a reaction is temperature-dependent – speeding up when it’s warmer and slowing down or even stopping when it gets colder.</p> <p>But they tend to do better in winter than their cousins, the C4 grasses.</p> <h2>I’ve heard many lawn grasses are C4 grasses. What does that mean?</h2> <p>As the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere declined and geological events led to the development of tropical regions around the equator, a different group of plants evolved. These plants used a form of photosynthesis called C4 metabolism.</p> <p><a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.13033">C4</a> plants grow very well under lower CO₂ levels in the atmosphere, use water more efficiently, and can cope with poor soils better than C3 grasses.</p> <p>But they struggle in the cold. They grow best in warmer, wetter conditions.</p> <p>While only about <a href="https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095545945;jsessionid=F1D6CE7E04A3DF20C48A6949F4A2F683#:%7E:text=C3%20plants%20make%20up%20over,let%20in%20more%20carbon%20dioxide">5%</a> of all plants have C4 photosynthesis, some of them are important grass species, such as:</p> <ul> <li> <p>bermuda grass</p> </li> <li> <p>buffalo grass</p> </li> <li> <p>paspalum</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2004/themeda-triandra.html">kangaroo grass</a></p> </li> <li> <p>couch grass, and</p> </li> <li> <p>zoysia grass.</p> </li> </ul> <p>So if your lawn is sown with one of these grasses, you will definitely see a slowdown in winter, when they become <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC167095/">dormant</a>.</p> <p>Their leaves tend to turn from bright green to a dull pale green or even yellow. Their growth slows quickly and dramatically in early autumn as the light levels fall, temperatures cool and chlorophyll production starts to decline.</p> <p>The upside, of course, is they usually grow very well when the weather warms up again.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206616/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-moore-1779">Greg<em>ory Moore</em></a><em>, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-does-grass-grow-more-slowly-in-winter-206616">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Why does my dog eat grass? And when is it not safe for them?

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-hazel-402495">Susan Hazel</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-zoanetti-1439474">Joshua Zoanetti</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p>Have you ever wondered why your dog is eating your beautifully cropped lawn or nibbling at the grass at the dog park?</p> <p>Eating grass is a common behaviour in pet dogs. Some surveys show <a href="http://raw-feeding-prey-model.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WhydogogsandcatseatgrassGrassVetMed2008-2.pdf">up to 80%</a> of guardians notice their dog regularly snacking on the grass.</p> <p>Grass eating isn’t a new behaviour either, or only done by our new designer dog breeds. Studies in Yellowstone National Park show plant matter (mostly grass) is found in up to <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/136/7/1923S/4664711">74% of wolf scats</a>, suggesting the behaviour is possibly inherited from the beginning of doggy time.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=390&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=390&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=390&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=490&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=490&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529490/original/file-20230601-21796-wl09tw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=490&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <h2>So why does my dog eat the grass?</h2> <p>A lot of people think dogs eat grass when they have a sore stomach, believing grass causes dogs to vomit. This is probably not the case; a study with <a href="https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/32446/bjone-brown-price-grass-eating20patterns-raan-2007.pdf">12 dogs that ate grass daily</a> found there were few vomiting episodes and the ones that did occur came after the dog had eaten a meal.</p> <p>And if a dog has a mild gastrointestinal disturbance because of something they’ve been fed, they are in fact <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159109003311">less likely</a> to eat grass than if they are fed a normal diet.</p> <p>Other theories include that dogs eat grass because they want a laxative or that it provides roughage in their diet (get that fibre!).</p> <p>Like the vomiting discussed above, there is little to no scientific proof for most of these theories. For example, in the study of <a href="https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/32446/bjone-brown-price-grass-eating20patterns-raan-2007.pdf">12 dogs mentioned above</a>, all of them were wormed and had no previous digestive problems. Yet all 12 still happily ate grass (709 times).</p> <p>Their main finding was that when the dog had not yet had their daily meal, they were more likely to eat grass. In short, the hungrier the dog, the more likely they were to eat some grass.</p> <p>The answer to why your dog eats grass may simply be: because they like to. Your dog may be bored, and chewing on grass is something to do.</p> <p>Maybe your dog just enjoys eating grass. Ripping grass from the ground can be satisfying. The texture and taste of grass offers something different to what they usually eat. You may even notice they prefer grass in certain seasons; perhaps fresh spring grass a favourite delicacy.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529491/original/file-20230601-23190-7g4mhp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <h2>Is there any reason why you shouldn’t let your dog eat grass?</h2> <p>Well, yes, there are several. Firstly, you may not want your dog eating your neighbour’s immaculately presented fancy Kikuyu lawn.</p> <p>More importantly, though, grass is sometimes treated with herbicides. Grass at the local oval or parkland may have been treated or sprayed. Some local councils use a non-hazardous dye to show where grass has been sprayed with <a href="https://www.yassvalleytimes.com.au/general-news/council-to-use-marker-dye-when-spraying-weeds/">herbicide</a>, which is very helpful.</p> <p>Lawn chemicals are frequently detected in lawn for up to 48 hours after they’re applied, and have also been detected in the urine of dogs with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969713003100?via%3Dihub">access to grass</a> treated this way.</p> <p>Research has suggested there may be a <a href="https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/224/8/javma.2004.224.1290.xml">link</a> between bladder cancer in dogs and exposure to herbicides.</p> <p>In fact, dogs may even act as sentinels; the same chemical exposures appear in the urine of dogs and people <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-clinical-and-translational-science/article/environmental-chemical-exposures-in-the-urine-of-dogs-and-people-sharing-the-same-households/C3F9330A4AA7723FE78CE5D492071F55">sharing the same environment</a>.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529492/original/file-20230601-22271-5juhsh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>If you are using herbicides on your own grass, remove your dog, their toys, food and water bowls from the area prior to any application.</p> <p>Make sure the pesticide has completely dried out before you allow the dog back in the area, and be certain to check the packaging for the appropriate drying time period.</p> <p>This is particularly the case for granular pesticides or fertilisers that soak into the soil, as these can require up to 24 hours or longer.</p> <p>If you want to reduce the risk even further, hand weeding may be a <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/is-weed-killer-safe-for-pets-what-to-know/">better option</a>.</p> <p>Apart from grass, many leaves, flowers and berries from common plants can be toxic to your dog. <a href="https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/o?&">This includes</a> plants such as oleander and arum lily; even oregano and bay leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs.</p> <p>One of the best things you can do for your dog is take them for a walk. And if they eat some grass along the way, provided it has not been sprayed with herbicide, you have nothing to worry about.</p> <p>Don’t worry if they occasionally vomit. If there is more serious vomiting or diarrhoea, however, please consult your vet.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205658/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-hazel-402495">Susan Hazel</a>, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-zoanetti-1439474">Joshua Zoanetti</a>, PhD candidate in Veterinary Bioscience, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-does-my-dog-eat-grass-and-when-is-it-not-safe-for-them-205658">original article</a>.</p>

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12 things you should never do to your lawn

<p>Whether you have a green thumb or not, it’s easy to maintain a blissful, barefoot-worthy backyard. For starters, avoid these no-nos.</p> <p><strong>Don't remove grass clippings</strong></p> <p>Leaving grass clippings on the lawn after you mow can cause thatch problems, right? Nope! That’s a myth. Turns out, grass clippings can actually help with the overall health of your lawn. And (bonus!) that means less work for you when you mow.</p> <p><strong>Don't skip aerating</strong></p> <p>Most lawns, whether seeded or sodded, are planted over a fairly skimpy layer of topsoil. Over time, lawn mowers, pets and football games compact the soil, making it difficult for air, water and vital nutrients to penetrate to the grassroots. </p> <p>Your challenge: to restore healthy soil conditions that nurture your lawn. To loosen and aerate the soil, rent a power core aerator. They’re available at rental centres, plus some hardware stores and garden centres.</p> <p><strong>Don't use a dull mower blade</strong></p> <p>Dull mower blades rip through the grass blades instead of slicing them cleanly, and that stresses the plant. You can always tell a lawn that’s been mowed with a dull blade because it looks brown on the top.</p> <p>Get on your hands and knees and you can actually see the damage. Be sure to sharpen your mower blade each season to keep your lawn in good shape.</p> <p><strong>Don't water every day</strong></p> <p>Did you know your lawn can actually get dependent and needy if it has too much water? Instead of watering every day for 15 minutes, choose one day a week to water the lawn for an entire hour. Your lawn will be watered deeply, and it will be healthier and more drought-tolerant.</p> <p><strong>Don't forget to dethatch</strong></p> <p>Thatch is a layer of slowly decomposing grass stems, roots, clippings, and debris that accumulate at the soil surface over time. It can build up in your lawn and virtually choke it to death. Excessive thatch build-up is commonly found in lawns that have been overfertilized or overwatered and have never been aerated. </p> <p>Thatch build-up of 2cm or more will restrict water and nutrient penetration into the soil (think thatched roof) and can harbour disease organisms that can increase the need for pesticides. Slice open a section of turf. If the thatch is more than 2cm thick, take action.</p> <p><strong>Don't give up on shady areas</strong></p> <p>Growing grass under shade trees isn’t easy, but one key to success is choosing the right shade grass species and planting method for your region. In cool-season areas, you’ll get a better result using seed rather than sod. Sod is grown in wide-open fields under conditions that favour sun-loving grasses. </p> <p>Garden centres will have grass seed mixes formulated for shade. Late summer and mid-spring are the best times to establish cool-season grasses in shady areas.</p> <p><strong>Don't wait too long between mowing</strong></p> <p>If you came back from a holiday and didn’t arrange to have the grass mowed while you were away, don’t try and mow it down in one day. Cut off some of the length and then wait a couple of days and mow again. This will cause less stress on the grass. You may need three passes depending on how long the grass grew.</p> <p><strong>Don't cut grass too short</strong></p> <p>Every grass type has an optimal cutting height, and you’re better off on the high side of that height. Here are a few reasons: The grass blade is the food factory of the plant. Short blades just can’t generate as much food as long blades. Long blades also shade and cool the soil. </p> <p>That means weed seeds are less likely to sprout, and you won’t have to water as often because water won’t evaporate as fast. Not sure what type of grass you have? Take a sample to a garden centre for identification.</p> <p><strong>Don't mow in the same direction every time</strong></p> <p>Instead, mow in a different direction every time: front to back, back to front, diagonal, etc. Repeatedly mowing the exact same way will cause the grass blades to grow at an angle, and you may develop permanent tracks from the mower wheels.</p> <p><strong>Don't cut wet grass</strong></p> <p>Mowing wet grass can cause the mower wheels to leave ruts in your yard, and you could leave behind giant clumps of clippings that could smother the grass beneath. And the wet grass will carpet the underside of your mower deck with a thick mat that’s a pain to clean. Yikes!</p> <p><strong>Don't overfeed</strong></p> <p>If you apply too much grass fertiliser, especially in sandy soils, a good share of it will leach through the soil and make its way into our precious groundwater, rivers, streams and wetlands. Lawn grasses only need a certain amount of food. More isn’t always better.</p> <p><strong>Don't ignore pet areas</strong></p> <p>Dog spots are round patches about 10 to 20cm in diameter with dead grass in the middle, encircled by dark green grass. They’re most apparent in the early spring when dormant grass first begins to turn green again. You have to replant your grass; it won’t come back on its own. </p> <p>But first, you have to dilute or remove the caustic urine from the soil. Thoroughly soak the area with lots of water.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/gardening-tips/12-things-you-should-never-do-to-your-lawn?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

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Robert Irwin’s awkward fan interaction

<p dir="ltr">Robert Irwin has accidentally rejected an American tourist who may be in love with him after “missing” her message. </p> <p dir="ltr">The son of the great Steve Irwin was called cute by Megan Grass after he completed a show at Australia Zoo. </p> <p dir="ltr">She shared the footage to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@megangrass12/video/7109012062063562030?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> of her complimenting him before asking for his number to a round of laughter. </p> <p dir="ltr">Robert said he was “flattered” and proceeded to ask where she was from to which she responded Utah, America. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Utah is great. I’ll tell you what, the easiest way is literally on Instagram so my people can monitor and see where it comes from because my number is hit and miss,” he said to her.</p> <p dir="ltr">Megan then to his surprise revealed that she had in fact messaged the night before to let him know she was going to Australia Zoo. </p> <p dir="ltr">He asked for her name and said “I’ll look it up” before waving and putting his thumb up. </p> <p dir="ltr">It however appears that Robert did not “look up” Megan as she is yet to receive any form of communication from him. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I think it definitely paid off because I got the opportunity to meet Robert, which is really cool," she said on <em>The Today Show</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I definitely was not expecting it to blow up the way it did but it was a really cool experience all together and Robert was so sweet about it."</p> <p dir="ltr">When asked about what she liked about Robert, Megan said it was the fact that “he’s a great guy all together”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I just think he's literally the sweetest person ever, like I was a stranger who asked for his number and he didn't have to be polite about it but he definitely was," she continued. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Robert's also like really busy and if he sees it [her message], he sees it, and if he doesn't, it's totally okay."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok/Today</em></p>

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Mystery solved: Why do cats eat grass even when it makes them sick?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While our feline friends are full of mysteries - there are some questions that should be answered for the sake of health. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cats have a strange habit of eating grass despite it making them ill. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers from the University of California’s School of Veterinary Medicine believe they have found the reason behind the odd practice. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Experts suggest feline’s ancestors would chew on roughage (comparable to grass)  to get rid of intestinal parasites. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cats would pick up parasites from eating rodents then eat the grass to flush out the worms. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chewing on grass would provoke muscle activity in their digestive tracts. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While it is unnecessary for our furry friends to keep the habit in modern times, researchers believe it is what cats choose to do when they have an irritation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Given that virtually all wild carnivores carry an intestinal parasite load, instinctive plant-eating would have an adaptive role in maintaining a tolerable intestinal parasite load, whether or not the animal senses the parasites,” the statement read.</span></p>

Caring

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How to treat dog spots on grass

<p>Round patches on the lawn about 100mm wide with dead grass in the middle and dark green at the edges are called dog spots.</p> <p>The patches occur when a dog wees in the same area a number of times and the high concentration of acids, salts and nitrogen in the urine burns the grass roots.</p> <p>Dig out the dead spots and replant the affected area by adding topsoil and grass seed to match the surrounding area. </p> <p>Prevent spots by giving the dog plenty of water to make its urine less concentrated and soak its favourite areas of lawn to flush salts out of the root zone before they kill the grass. </p> <p>Train the pet to urinate in a special spot and cover the area with mulch. </p> <p><strong>Step 1: Hose the spot</strong></p> <p>Hose the spot until the grass is soaking to dilute the urine acids and salts and wash them deeper into the soil, away from the grass roots.</p> <p><strong>Step 2: Scrape dead grass</strong></p> <p>Scrape up the dead grass with a hand rake to remove it then rough up the area to loosen the soil to 20mm deep as seeds germinate better in soft soil.</p> <p><strong>Step 3: Sprinkle topsoil</strong></p> <p>Sprinkle topsoil in a thin layer then add an even amount of grass seed, covering with another thin layer of soil. Keep the area moist until the new grass is about 50mm high</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of </em><a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/treat-dog-spots-grass"><em>Handyman Australia</em></a><em>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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6 tips for maintaining a healthy lawn at sea

<p>Maintaining a healthy green lawn can be difficult enough on land, so we were really impressed when we discovered there was a cruise ship that maintains real grass onboard.</p> <p>The highest deck on the cruise ship, Celebrity Solstice, is covered in a lawn of luscious green grass. It is the only cruise ship in Australia to have real grass onboard.</p> <p>Can you imagine the challenges involved in trying to maintain a thriving lawn at sea? There’s wind, salt spray, humidity and climate changes to contend with. Not to mention the fact that the grass is not actually taking in root in the earth.</p> <p>Yes, there are problems aplenty but the crew at Celebrity Solstice seem to have it figured out. The ship employs two highly trained lawn keepers and an onboard Environment Manager who is tasked with overseeing grass maintenance, among other things.</p> <p>To keep the lawn in peak condition, the keepers monitor the area daily and undertake vigilant pest control practices. The grass is mowed to precisely 35mm, as often as every day where conditions are warmer and every three days in cooler climes, using a non-gas emitting cylinder mower or reel mower.</p> <p>The lawn is watered using automated sprinklers, sub-surface sprinklers, as well as old fashioned manual watering.  Mineral and organic lawn care products feed and protect the grass, and of course deck chairs and high heels are discouraged. </p> <p>The lawn consists of Couch grass during the warmer months. In places like Alaska, where temperatures are much cooler, the Couch grass is overgrown with Rye grass seeds that germinate and provide green grass even in arctic conditions.</p> <p>The grass grows on a porous base made of lightweight calcium clay, crushed and blended together with sieved and washed volcanic pumice. Not only do these materials have nutritional benefits for the grass, the calcium clay and volcanic pumice provide great drainage after rain and when the area is irrigated.</p> <p>Staffers were really impressed with the quality of lawn care practiced at Celebrity Solstice so when Environment Manager Nick Asproudas offered to share his lawn care tips with us we jumped at the chance. Nicks says his tips for maintaining healthy grass can be easily applied to residential lawns.</p> <p>We agree. Nicks tips are in line with our own advice when it comes to keeping the lawn green and luscious. Here are Nick's tips.</p> <p><strong>6 Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Lawn At Sea Or At Home</strong></p> <p><strong>1. Cut with care</strong></p> <p>Never cut your grass too short – I suggest taking off no more than 10% of the leaf at one time because more than this can damage your grass.</p> <p><strong>2. Control weeds</strong></p> <p>While herbicides are great for preventing weeds from spreading, it can take days before the chemicals kick in, not to mention the damage most do to the environment. So if you have a smaller backyard there is nothing better than good old fashioned manual weeding - it’s what we do on Celebrity Solstice’s lawn - just make sure the whole root is removed from the soil.</p> <p><strong>3. Fertilise</strong></p> <p>A slow-release fertiliser is always best and won’t burn your grass. I recommend you fertilise every 6-8 weeks -just don’t forget to water your lawn after the application.</p> <p><strong>4. Water the lawn</strong></p> <p>It’s vital to water your grass all year around, but it is especially important to do so during Australia's harsh summer months. Watering by hand is always best as sometimes sprinklers do not provide a sufficient amount of water.</p> <p><strong>5. Eliminate brown patches</strong></p> <p>Firstly, check soil moisture levels using a soil probe. If you find your lawn soil is quite dry, water it manually or use an oscillating sprinkler. If it isn’t, brown patches are often caused by a disease. If this is the case, isolate the area so nobody steps on the grass and apply a fungicide to stop the disease from spreading.</p> <p><strong>6. Mow with purpose</strong></p> <p>Change your mowing directions each time you mow your lawn to increase the density of your turf and reduce scalping.  The round the clock technique works best, which involves changing your mowing pattern based on the numbers on an analogue clock. For example, one day you may mow from 12 to 6, another day from 9 to 3 and then another day from 2 to 8.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/6-tips-maintaining-healthy-lawn-sea">Handyman.net.au.</a></em></p>

Cruising

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7 unusual uses for artificial lawn

<p>Sometimes the joy of home-making is the chance to get creative. The very material you use for a beautiful no-maintenance artificial lawn has a few other unusual uses you may not have considered before. Here are just a few suggestions:</p> <p><strong>1. Balcony surface</strong></p> <p>Do you have a terrace or balcony? Why not give it a more outdoor feel by carpeting it with artificial turf? Better yet if you have space for a rooftop garden, give it the true garden feel by installing a layer of artificial lawn.</p> <p><strong>2. Backyard golf</strong></p> <p>Any golf fans at home? You could set up a private putting area. It can be tucked away in the basement or spare room; simply set up a patch of lawn and measure out a hole and you are good to go!</p> <p><strong>3. Pool surrounds</strong></p> <p>Reduce the slippery surfaces around the outdoor pool by setting up turf around the perimeter. Then you can splash all you like without worry about mopping up afterwards!</p> <p><strong>4. Playground Cover</strong></p> <p>If you have a play set for the grandkids in your backyard, setting turf underneath will make the area safer – or at least minimise any inevitable mishaps. It will also help to give some traction to hyperactive kids so they will have less falls (at least that’s the theory!).</p> <p><strong>5. Pet cushion</strong></p> <p>Line the critter crates! Do you have a rabbit, dog, parrot, or snake? Any pet would love to have artificial lawn to cushion their crates and lay down on when they have to rest up.</p> <p><strong>6. Wall décor</strong></p> <p>If you want to get really creative, go all out. Make an indoor garden by lining the walls, floors, or ceilings to really create that green feel. If that’s too much, design a mural with the grass sectioned along one wall. Or simply accent the room with patches of turf on the ceiling fan panels, the lampshades, covering a chair, or as a background for a water element.</p> <p><strong>7. Grass replacement</strong></p> <p>Lastly you can use your artificial lawn as … an artificial lawn. An easy, eternally green, mud-free, and maintenance-free solution to lawn care!</p> <p><em>First appeared on Australian Outdoor Living. Find more great tips on gardening and design at their <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.australianoutdoorliving.com.au/" target="_blank">website here</a></strong></span>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/08/the-trick-to-growing-herbs-in-a-pot/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The trick to growing herbs in a pot</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/how-to-tell-what-a-plant-needs-from-leaves/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>6 things your plant's leaves are trying to tell you</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/ideas-to-transform-plain-vase/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">11 great ways to transform a plain vase</span></em></strong></a></p>

Home & Garden

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Artificial lawn or real grass?

<p>Even with a passion for gardening, sometimes keeping the garden and lawn in order can be a lot of work.</p> <p>If you’re having trouble finding the time or energy to maintain the garden, there is a way to minimise the work. Artificial lawn has improved a lot in recent years, and it might be time to take another look at the benefits of artificial grass.</p> <p>Whether you’re having health problems, or spending more of your time with the grandkids, taking lawn maintenance off your plate will mean you can take care of yourself and spend more time doing what you love.</p> <p>Plus, you’ll still have a neat and beautiful garden.</p> <p><img width="498" height="265" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/23493/lawn-one_498x265.jpg" alt="Lawn One"/></p> <p><strong>Good-looking, nice-feeling grass</strong></p> <p>We all want that nice, lush grass, but even if we put maximum effort into our lawn it doesn’t guarantee it will thrive.</p> <p>Real grass can be patchy, which can be pretty annoying to try and remedy. It can turn yellow and dry in summer, not to mention you may have to try and combat weeds like dandelions and bindi infestations.</p> <p>The first thing you probably think of when you hear artificial lawn, is that scratchy, plastic stuff that fades over time and looks extremely fake. But there has been a lot of innovation in artificial grass, and as long as you know where to look, you can get quality artificial grass.</p> <p>Companies like Australian Outdoor Living have artificial grass that is as natural feeling and looking as possible. It’s springy and soft, and it is specifically designed to last the summer without fading. So if you do install artificial grass, you will get many of the benefits of natural grass without the drawbacks or the hassle.</p> <p><img width="498" height="265" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/23492/lawn-two_498x265.jpg" alt="Lawn Two (1)"/></p> <p><strong>Caring for your lawn</strong></p> <p>Speaking of hassles, maintaining your lawn can be difficult and sometimes unrewarding. If you’re lucky enough to have grass growing evenly, you still have to shell out a lot to keep it healthy. You’ll need a lawn mower, which will have its own maintenance costs.</p> <p>You’ll likely need a whipper snipper to keep the edges neat, fertiliser to keep it healthy, and then there’s your water bill. If you can’t mow your own lawn for whatever reason, you may be stuck paying someone else too.</p> <p>If you’ve moved into a smaller unit, you may have only a courtyard with a smaller patch of grass, artificial grass might be more suited to such a small area.</p> <p>Even with all the time, money and energy you put into your lawn, it may still look worse for wear. It can be unpredictable, and in a hot summer it can turn an awful yellow.</p> <p>But an artificial lawn will look beautiful all year round, and the only maintenance it requires is a hose down every now and then. There are lots of online tools and resources that will help you design a backyard that will make the best use of artificial lawn.</p> <p><img width="498" height="265" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/23490/lawn-three_498x265.jpg" alt="Lawn Three"/></p> <p><strong>Costs and savings</strong></p> <p>Real grass takes a lot of effort to maintain, and the costs of maintaining it do add up. And all of these costs are ongoing. But if you have artificial lawn installed it’s a one-time fee.</p> <p>Yes, it is expensive, but you’ll soon realise that it will pay for itself, as you will no longer be forking out money for an expensive water bill or for help mowing the lawn.</p> <p>With an artificial lawn you won’t need to exert yourself to care for it and you won’t need to dedicate some your monthly budget to it once it’s installed. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard rather than straining to look after it.</p> <p>It’s a big decision, but a great investment.</p> <p><strong><em>To find more great tips on gardening and design, please visit the Australian Outdoor Living <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.australianoutdoorliving.com.au/" target="_blank">website here</a></span>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/houseplants-that-can-survive-dark-corners/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Houseplants that can survive dark corners</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/tips-for-gardening-on-uneven-ground/"><span><em><strong>Tips for gardening on uneven ground</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/garden-fixes-after-heavy-rain/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Garden fixes after heavy rain</span></em></strong></a></p>

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