The Lawn Bible: How to Keep It Green, Groomed, and Growing Every Season of the Year

by David R. Mellor

Book Overview

Now you can have green grass right in your own backyard, thanks to David Mellor, master groundskeeper of Boston's Fenway Park. Everyone wants a green lawn, but how do you actually get one? Bags of fertilizer? Weed killer Sod? What about mowing? Everyone knows how to, but do you really know when to? Fenway Park's master groundskeeper David Mellor does. He's been caring for some of the nicest lawns around for years. In The Lawn Bible,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786888423
• ISBN13: 9780786888429
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.5" x 10.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

It's all here

Most home owners, even non-gardeners, want an attractive lawn. It is, after all, one of the largest aspects of most suburban homes, it's what the visitor and the passer-by sees first - and those first impressions are so-o-o important. And most home owners are not too happy with their lawn. It has bare spots, moss, weeds and the track left by the paper delivery person. These home owners need "The Lawn Bible".Written by Fenway Park's master groundskeeper, who has faced more grass issues than the rest of us put together, it has everything the grass-grower needs to make him or her the lawn meister of the neighbourhood. The writer starts by taking a look at a single grass plant and moves on to discuss the most basic element of a good lawn - the soil. He discusses seeding, instant lawns, watering, mowing (including your own design of stripes) replacing old lawns, weeds, insect pests and diseases. There is no question I could think to ask about lawns and grass that isn't addressed in this book, and all the information is arranged logically so I wouldn't have to spend too much time searching. For anyone who needs further information there is a list of Internet resources at the end. I'm usually a bit wary of books calling themselves "The Bible of...." but this book really provides all the leadership and advice you need about lawns. Written by a master whose lawns and grass are wide open to the criticism of thousands each week, you can be confident the book is authoritative. It also has quotes from groundskeepers of other well-known sports fields. If your lawn doesn't look good to you, invest in this book. It's readable, the material well arranged and presented, and it tells you all you'll ever need to know about lawns.

A practical, easy-to-follow, "can-do" guide

The Lawn Bible: How To Keep It Green, Groomed, And Growing Every Season Of The Year by David R. Mellor (Fenway Park's Master Groundskeeper) is a superbly organized, "user friendly" resource filled with tips, tricks, and techniques for creating and maintaining a greener lawn. From preparing the soil with compost and fertilizer; to waging war against weeds and pests; to presenting a wide variety of seasonal grasses ideal for homeowners with an eye toward presentability; and a great deal more, The Lawn Bible lives up to its name and is enthusiastically recommended as a practical, easy-to-follow, "can-do" guide for the novice lawn gardener.

A book that is green in more ways than one.

I am so pleased that THE LAWN BIBLE acknowledges that most people who care about their lawns also care about the environment. Finally, here is the advice that will give lawn enthusiasts the best grass with the least amount of waste. Dave says, "As we look into a future where lawn watering restrictions will certainly become the norm, wetting agents and other smart water gathering, retaining and dispersing techniques will be key to a healthy green lawn." I was delighted to read about new products and expert techniques. Although I love the look of green grass, I've felt guilty about how much water and fertilizer the average homeowner like me probably wastes with a haphazard approach to lawn care. Dave's advice to let the grass grow to a longer length, especially in areas affected by shade, will not only save me time and money, but also will improve my lawn and cost less in water and fertilizer to keep it looking good. I also will make it a point to scatter my lawn clippings instead of bagging them. On behalf of environment-conscious people everywhere, thank you, Dave.

The Lawn Bible

I love this book. I've shared it with friends and neighbors who now have to have their own copy. It's a wonderful gift for anyone who has a lawn or dreams of having a lawn one day. As a new home owner I'm going to follow the recommendations and guidelines in establishing a new lawn.(My neighbors can't wait until I get rid of the field of dandelions which make up my current lawn.) The "Tricks of the Trade" section is great. I love learning the secrets of the turf proffesionals. David Mellor includes Organic Options when it comes to fertilizer and weed control. Those are the methods I'm going to implement. This book will help you grow a lawn that's healthy for you and your family.

Great book for first-lawners and seasoned "lawniacs"

This book is a great mix of basic lawn care information and inside scoop from a guy who's in a position to know any "secrets" there might be to lawn care-author David Mellor is the head groundskeeper at Fenway Park in Boston. He somehow manages to bring together love of lawn and love of sport in a way that ought to make any man happy. He tells the reader how to grow his grass, maintain his grass--even how to put his grass "to sleep" when it's just plain time to start over. I love the stories from his buddies in the groundskeeping biz--one guy tells of having like 36 hours to get the brand new New England Patriots field in shape for its debut on Monday Night Football on the heels of a Rolling Stones concert AND a Major League Soccer championship. Another guy tells how he takes care of the grounds near Babe Ruth's grave. Some of the stories are kind of funny and really get you thinking about how hard it's got be for these guys to keep things green.The real growing grass information in this book is solid and David Mellor comes of as a good guy you'd like to know. I'm getting this book for my brother-in-law...he's a big baseball fan and his lawn is a wreck.