Rotary Broom - Good, Bad, Indifferent for Lawns
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- Posts: 415
- Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
- Location: Western Massachusetts
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Rotary Broom - Good, Bad, Indifferent for Lawns
Looking for people's thoughts on buying a walk behind rotary broom sweeper (think Sweepster) to use primarily for spring cleanup of the lawn. I know the general consensus on here is that brooming/sweeping/raking is more detrimental than it's worth to the lawn but my results (compared to neighbors that have it done) would say otherwise.
Anyone have advice for or against this approach?
Anyone have advice for or against this approach?
- turf_toes
- Posts: 6042
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- Location: Central NJ
- Grass Type: 77% Blueberry/23% Midnight Star KBG in front. Bewitched KBG monostand in back.
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Re: Rotary Broom - Good, Bad, Indifferent for Lawns
There could be many other variables involved in why your neighbors’ lawns look better than yours.
I’d never suggest using one because I mulch mow organic matter back into the soil. If you have stuff laying around on top of your lawn after you mow, you probably need a better mower.
I’d never suggest using one because I mulch mow organic matter back into the soil. If you have stuff laying around on top of your lawn after you mow, you probably need a better mower.
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- Posts: 415
- Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
- Location: Western Massachusetts
- Grass Type: Lesco Double Eagle PR
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Some Experience
Re: Rotary Broom - Good, Bad, Indifferent for Lawns
So i guess the answer to that is yes and no, I do have stuff laying on top of the soil but my soil also sucks and has virtually no microbial activity to eat those leaves. My primary issue is heavy areas of mulched leaves that just don't ever get worked into the soil so I was thinking about the sweeper to get rid of that barrier each season so my regular amendments actually get down to the soil instead of sit on top of that leaf barrier.
- MorpheusPA
- Posts: 18129
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Re: Rotary Broom - Good, Bad, Indifferent for Lawns
Meh. Personally, if my leaves weren't working (so to speak), I'd kick them along a little. Put some faster nitrogen down on them, like some Milorganite or even a little urea. Not much, a tenth of a pound per thousand should do it, to kick the process along (leaves decay via fungal processes, but adding N brings more bacteria, which are faster, into play).
If you'd rather use the broom, I don't see any reason why not, really. I'd turn around and compost the leaves to add back later, but that's just me. I never let a useful organic leave the property.
If you'd rather use the broom, I don't see any reason why not, really. I'd turn around and compost the leaves to add back later, but that's just me. I never let a useful organic leave the property.
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- Posts: 415
- Joined: June 8th, 2011, 3:38 pm
- Location: Western Massachusetts
- Grass Type: Lesco Double Eagle PR
- Lawn Size: 5000-10000
- Level: Some Experience
Re: Rotary Broom - Good, Bad, Indifferent for Lawns
Thats a fair approach, I can't afford to let any OM leave my property I need all the help I can get. I would definitely compost everything I broom.
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