Northwest lawns are starting to go dormant. Keeping them green is a challenge this time of the year.

But if you mow higher and water longer and less frequently, an inch a week, you will be going in the right direction.

I like it when the lawns go dormant. That tells me it is time to just work on pruning.

Plants do need some water during our dry spells, but be careful. Know the plant. Disease and insects are active this time of the year as well.

If you over water, it puts stress on the plant, inviting those insects and diseases to come in.

In my earlier columns, I went over mulching your plants. Mulch holds moisture in the soil; it feeds the plant and reduces the amount of weeds.

With the dry, hot days, working on the weeds is a lot of work. So have the right tools, such as weed pulling tools, organic herbicides like white vinegar and a product called “Burn Out II.”

Be careful and always read labels. Safety should always be your number one priority. Herbicides should only be used as a last resort.

More of anything is never better. And with lawns, stay away from weed and feeds. It is overkill, and exposes children and pets to pesticides.

Contact your local Master Gardeners’ office for publications about weed and feed. If you have weeds all over your lawn, take long-term steps to improve soil quality.

Wait until fall to top dress your lawn with some nice compost and feed the soil. It will take some time to get it in top shape, but it will happen. Being a natural and organic gardener takes patience.

Happy Gardening.

Email Joe at besthands@aol.com.