Lawn Care Tips

If you want to have a terrific lawn:

• Plant high-quality, weed-free seed or sod in deep, fertile, well-prepared, weed-free soil. This is probably the most important step you can take to ensure success. If you bypass this, attaining an attractive lawn will be difficult, at best.
• Apply sufficient water to the lawn, but not too much. Overwatering encourages some diseases, and is wasteful. Frequent, light watering promotes shallow roots that are quick to dry out when conditions become warm or windy. Water until the top 4 to 8 inches of the soil is thoroughly moistened. Wait until the grass shows signs of needing water, before watering again.
• Mow to the recommended height with a sharp mower. Cut the grass as frequently as possible, removing a small amount of the grass blade each time. Cool-season grasses grow fastest in spring and fall. Warm-season grasses grow fastest in the midsummer.
• Mowing height is determined by the grass type. Rotary mowers have the advantage with tall-cut lawns. Well designed rotary mowers actually pull grass up into the cutting chamber. Most rotary mowers have simple cutting height adjustments, from ¾” to 4”.
• Make sure you adjust the height with the season. Cut grass higher during periods of stress, and cut lower just prior to peak growth periods. Cool-season grasses cut lower in early spring and early fall, and higher throughout the summer. Low cut has a rejuvenating effect during the most favorable spring and fall seasons. High cut increases tolerance of drought, heat and stress.
• Weekly mowing is generally recommended. This frequency is convenient for most people and works well for most lawns. However, frequent cuts of small amounts are more beneficial to the grass.
• Leave lawn clippings, and save fertilizer. Lawn clippings are 75 to 80 percent water, 3 to 6 percent nitrogen, ½ to 1 percent phosphorus, and 1 to 3 percent potassium, the same as an approximate 4-1-3 ratio fertilizer. Because clippings contain little woody tissue, they do not contribute to thatch.
• Apply recommended amounts of fertilizer at optimum times. Feed cool-season grasses throughout the year as necessary, but apply three-fourths of the total amount required in the fall and winter months.
• Lawns comprised of cool-season grasses, should receive 75 percent of their yearly nitrogen during the fall and winter seasons. Supply warm-season grasses with approximately half of their yearly nitrogen in late spring, and half in fall.
• Exact scheduling of fertilizer applications is dependent upon many variables, including the type of fertilizer, type of lawn, and maintenance level. Be sure to read the directions on the fertilizer bag.
• Grasses grow best when soil pH is about 6.5. When soil is adjusted to this slightly acidic condition, fertilizers are most effective. Where rainfall is heavy, soils are typically acid. This condition can be corrected with lime, usually in the form of ground limestone.
• Make positive identification of lawn pests and diseases, and then closely follow the prescribed course of treatment.
• Overwatering and under watering, mowing too short, low fertility, excessive wear, disease, insects and shade, create stress that allows weeds to invade lawns. If the situation is severe, and the weeds have established a foothold, consider complete renovation of the lawn. This may include planting a stronger or more adapted grass, installing a good watering system, or correcting other serious problems. Regular care of lawns should prevent weed problems.