Healthy Lawn Care Tips
Healthy Lawn Care Tips
Early Spring Lawn Care
Rake up debris, dead grass, leaves etc . Roll if necessary with a light roller. Aerate the lawn annually in high traffic areas and every other year in lower use areas. Apply a premium slow release lawn fertilizer such as 28-0-6 65% Slow Release.
Late Spring Lawn Care
Apply grass seed to repair damaged areas or thicken existing lawn. Apply a premium slow release lawn fertilizer such as 28-0-6 65% Slow Release
Fall Lawn Care
Fall is the best time to apply grass seed to repair damaged areas or thicken existing lawn. Apply a premium winterizing lawn fertilizer
Watering
- Most lawns require a minimum of 2.5cm (1”) of water per week during the summer
- In dry conditions, water heavily once a week as opposed to daily sprinkling (daily sprinkling encourages shallow roots, which will increase the chance of burn during hot spells)
- Do not water at night – the chance of fungus developing is increased
- Use a rain gauge or aluminum pie plate to measure if the correct amount of water is being applied.
Mowing
- Ensure mower blade is sharp to prevent frayed appearance
- Mow to 5cm – 7.5cm (2-3”) in spring and fall
- Raise mower another 1cm (1/2”) during hot weather to improve drought resistance
- Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one mowing
- Change direction of the cut each time to keep course grasses under control & ensure an even surface.
Aeration
- Dethatching is no longer a recommended practice on home lawns as it creates openings for weed germination and causes stress to the existing turf. Aeration is now recommended for decreasing thatch as well as compaction.
- Aeration will increase the amount of air, water and nutrients getting to the soil, which will strengthen grass roots and help create a heathier lawn.
- Aeration before an application of fertilizer will allow nutrients easier access to root systems.
Fertilizer Application
- Remove debris, toys etc from the lawn
- Use a good broadcast spreader with an accurate flow setting
- Fill the spreader on the drive or walk and not on the lawn
- Sweep up spilt fertilizer
- Shut off the spreader when stopping and turning
- Apply half the required fertilizer in one direction of the lawn. Apply the remaining fertilizer across the lawn (ensures even coverage and prevents streaking from overlap)
- Water the lawn after application
Seeding a Lawn
When to Seed
Apply seeding spring when soil temperature reaches 15 degrees C – ideally mid May to mid June. Best time for maximum germination is mid August to mid September when soil is warm and nights are cool. If you spread grass seed early in spring it will not germinate until soil temp reaches about 15 degrees.
Why Overseed
A thick healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds, disease, drought and insect damage. Over-seeding can quickly repair a lawn that is thin and patchy.