What is the best time of year to fertilize lawn?
The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly. In early spring, the grass is putting energy into root development. If you apply fertilizer too early, it will divert the plant's energy into leaf development too soon.
How do I prepare my lawn for the spring?
Aeration via spiking is a good as it will all air, water and nutrients into the soil. Spring is also the time for overseeding (especially after raking or scarifying) with an appropriate grass seed to fill in any bare patches. Perfectionists will also want to top-dress their lawns. Give your lawn its first feed with a spring/summer fertiliser.
Is it time for Summer lawn care tips and tricks?
The dog days are a signal that it’s time for a little turf TLC to keep your lawn looking fine. Just put these summer lawn care tips into action and you'll be sitting pretty. (Literally. On your lawn. With a frosty drink in hand.) Mow high. Taller blades help grass develop deeper roots that are better at seeking out water underground.
How important is spring lawn care?
From cleaning to mowing to seeding, proper spring lawn care encompasses a range of responsibilities. All are important. Remember that cutting corners now could mean that at the peak of summer, you’ll be spending your weekends making up for spring lawn care oversights.
Should you fertilize your lawn in early spring?
Turf root system development in early spring is critical for grass health. Deeper roots that form in spring help the vigor of the turf during summer's hot and droughty conditions. Fertilizing in early spring can encourage lush top growth at the expense of root growth.
When should I start treating my lawn?
Late spring is the best time to overseed warm-season grass. Fall is the ideal time for cool-season grass, but in colder regions, spot-seeding small areas in spring yields good results. When you overseed, apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.
What should I put on my lawn early spring?
Apply fertilizer, pre-emergent and weed killer. Early in spring, use a combination of fertilizer, which feeds your grass, and pre-emergent, an herbicide used to prevent crabgrass. Then, six to eight weeks later, apply both products again, along with a broadleaf weed killer.
What fertilizer should I put down in early spring?
In the spring, apply a 20-5-10 fertilizer mix. Be careful not to apply to early as fertilizer can easily burn vulnerable grass. Keep in mind that there are other things you can do before it's time to fertilize. In late May or early June, before the heat of the summer arrives, apply some slow release nitrogen.
Can you fertilize too early in spring?
Most people apply a dose of lawn fertilizer in the spring, followed by one or two more applications during the growing season. If you are going to fertilize your lawn, do not do it too early in the season. The best time for that first application is late spring, just as the green grass is beginning to grow eagerly.
What should I put on my lawn in March?
2 MarchMow lawns once grass starts growing. Cut slightly lower than standard mowing guidelines for the first few times. ... Apply soil amendments, such as fast-acting lime, according to soil test recommendations. ... Treat unwanted moss, which is most vulnerable during peak lawn growth in cool damp months.
What should I put on my lawn in April?
LawnsLightly fertilize all cool-season lawn grasses (such as fescue and bluegrass). ... Begin post emergent weed control.Apply pre-emergent herbicide or corn gluten to prevent crabgrass and other annual weeds.Top-dress lawns and patch bare spots.Lawns will be very soggy, so treat them gently and avoid too much traffic.More items...
What month Should I fertilize lawn?
Ideally, the ground should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, March to April is the best time to fertilize your lawn. It's also best if your yard is watered a few days before you want to apply the fertilizer, whether that's from rain or a sprinkler.
When should I start my lawn after winter?
Groom the Grass at the Beginning of the Season. As soon as the soil dries out a bit, carefully clear away leaves and dead grass using a regular leaf rake. This will break up any matted areas and improve airflow the surface of the blades. Wait to begin raking until the ground has dried out and firmed up in the spring.
Is April too early to fertilize my lawn?
Timing: Apply early spring lawn fertilizer once between February and April, when your grass is starting to green up and begin to actively grow (around the time your lawn first needs to be mowed).
Is it too cold to fertilize lawn?
Temperatures below 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit are too cold to fertilize your lawn. At these temperatures, your lawn enters a dormant state to protect itself from the cold. If you fertilize your lawn below these temperatures, you'll feed the weeds instead, and the root growth of your lawn will be stunted.
Do I fertilize my lawn before or after rain?
It is best to wait a day or so after a rain before applying fertilizer. At this time, any pools of water will be gone, but the ground will still have moisture in it. Do not apply fertilizer on grass blades that are still wet. Check the forecast and make sure some sunshine is in order.
What to do with lawn in spring?
Part of spring lawn care involves clearing away the ravages of winter. Equipped with your rake and pruning shears, take an exploratory stroll around the property. Look closely for any plants that didn’t survive. Prune damaged or dead branches from trees and bushes, and remove twigs or leaves you find lingering on the grass.
How to dethatch dead grass?
Dethatch the lawn by giving it a good once-over, using either a lawn rake with stiff tines or a special dethatching rake ( view on Amazon ).
How does aeration affect grass roots?
In high-traffic areas, the soil beneath grass gradually becomes compacted and inhospitable to grass roots. Aeration reverses the damage done. Here, using a specialized tool ( view on Amazon ), wine cork-size plugs are drawn out of the lawn surface, giving roots room to spread and allowing air, nutrients, and moisture to penetrate the soil.
Is it important to cut corners in spring?
All are important. Remember that cutting corners now could mean that at the peak of summer, you’ll be spending your weekends making up for spring lawn care oversights. In other words, it’s in your best interest to act now.
What should I do when my lawn is ready for new growth?
Raking is the first thing you need to do when getting your lawn ready for new growth. You probably think, "But my trees had no leaves falling for months. Why should I rake?" Raking does more than just remove tree leaves, however. Even if you did a phenomenal job of raking leaves in the fall, you still have to contend with thatch .
When should I fertilize my lawn?
However, many experts recommend a lighter feeding in spring and a heavier one in late fall for cool-season grasses. Too much fertilizer in spring can lead to disease and weed problems. And, if you fertilized in late fall, then your lawn still has fertilizer to feed on in spring. The Spruce / David Karoki.
Why is aerating the lawn in spring not recommended?
Generally, though, spring aerating is discouraged because the aeration holes provide a perfect spot for weed seeds to germinate. Lawn weeds (especially crabgrass) are the first seeds to germinate in the spring, and aerating the lawn stirs them up and gives them an ideal home.
What does spring mean on a lawn mower?
Spring also means it's time to get out the lawn mower and give it a once over. Start it up; stubborn start-ups are a sign that it might be due for a tune-up. Give your mower a tune-up once a year. In three easy steps, you can get your mower back in tip-top shape.
What to do if your lawn mower needs a tune up?
If your lawnmower needs more than a tune-up, then consider getting a new one . Among the key tune-up tasks is sharpening the mower blade. A regular sharpening will ensure the blade severs, rather than tears, the grass plants, leading to a nice green lawn rather than one with ragged brown tips.
Why is my lawn getting compacted?
If your lawn gets heavy traffic, such as lots of running and playing in the same spot, this can cause soil compaction. If you see moss, which thrives on compacted soil, you can get rid of it, but you need to look deeper into its root cause. In this case, it's usually compacted soil that needs aeration .
What to do when your lawn is bare?
Overseeding is the process of sowing seed over existing grass. Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (starter fertilizer) when you overseed.
Why fertilize in spring?
Fertilizing in early spring can encourage lush top growth at the expense of root growth. Our desire for a green lawn early in spring is not always best for overall turf health.
What is matted down grass?
This matted-down grass is a moist environment where the fungus can thrive. Lightly raking these areas provides better air circulation down into the turf, drying out the area and reducing damage from the fungus. Enjoy this spring and remember that being patient is also a task of the Smart Gardener.
How to prevent crabgrass from germinating?
A thick lawn reduces light penetration to the soil surface, shading crabgrass seeds and preventing their germination. Only use a pesticide when it is needed and only where it is needed. Avoid blanket applications of herbicides and treat only the areas needed.
Why is nitrogen important for turfgrass?
A turfgrass fertilization guide from Pennsylvania State University states that high rates of nitrogen on the turf in early spring encourages excessive foliar growth, which uses up carbohydrate reserves meant for root development and disease resistance.
Is it better to fertilize frozen lawns in spring?
Patience is more than just a virtue when it comes to fertilizing lawns in spring. There is no benefit to fertilizing frozen soil.
Can snow mold grow on grass?
One other “smart” task for the lawn in early spring is to lightly rake the grass where the snow was piled for much of the winter along your driveway and sidewalk. It is common for snow mold fungi to grow on grass blades under insolated snow piles. The picture of snow mold was taken March 15, 2015 in Saginaw, Michigan. This matted-down grass is a moist environment where the fungus can thrive. Lightly raking these areas provides better air circulation down into the turf, drying out the area and reducing damage from the fungus.
Can you fertilize frozen soil?
So what is a Smart Gardener to do? Be patient, my friends! First, we need to understand that we should never fertilize frozen soil in the home landscape. Fertilizer particles are not going to green up a lawn while the ground is still frozen. These tiny pellets can be washed off the frozen turf into storm drains after a rain storm, damaging lakes, streams and rivers with unnatural plant and algae growth.
When is the best time to take care of lawns?
Autumn is often the busiest time in the lawn care calendar as you help your lawn recover from the heat of summer and prepare it for the extremes of winter.
When is lawn care season?
March is when the lawn care calendar generally kicks off.
How to keep mower from cutting off too much?
Keep lowering the cutting height of your lawn mower if you like a closer cut. Only lower the height of the mower by one setting each time you mow to avoid cutting off too much.
How to keep grass from drying out?
Keep mowing the lawn but if the weather starts to dry, raise the height of the mower and mow a little less frequently. If you can, leave the clippings on the lawn. They will degrade and put the goodness and moisture back onto the soil.
What to do after scarifying a lawn?
Make sure you employ a good recovery program after scarifying. You should also overseed to fill in bare patches left by these invasive treatments. Serious gardeners should top dress their lawns. Also, if you want to sow a new lawn or lay turf, now is the time.
When is the best time to cut worm casts?
November marks the winding down of the lawn care calendar. Keep on top of worm casts by brushing them back into the lawn and removing fallen leaves to reduce their surface activity. If the weather is still good (neither frosty or wet) then set the lawn mower high and give your lawn its last cut of the year.
What to do if there is no frost?
If there’s no frost, keep brushing the leaves off the lawn to avoid the onset of disease.
How to repair bare spots in lawn?
Repair bare spots in both cool- and warm-season turf using Scotts® Bare Spot Repair Products . Timing is crucial for success: Aim for an early spring sowing for cool-season grass and a late spring sowing for warm-season grass. If your lawn is worn and thin, thicken it by overseeding. In the north, overseed with Scotts® Turf Builder® Thick’R Lawn™ , a product specially designed for thickening up thin lawns that combines grass seed, fertilizer, and a soil improver into an easy-to-use product that is applied with a Scotts® spreader. In the south, use the appropriate Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed product for your grass type, and get your new grass off to a good start by using Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass.
How to get deep roots in grass?
Gorgeous summer lawns start with long, deep, healthy roots that snake through soil to find moisture. The surest way to encourage deep roots is by mowing high —as high as you can for your type of grass. Sharpen mower blades at least once a season to ensure a clean cut on individual blades of grass, which helps reduce moisture loss.
How to prevent snow mold on grass?
In areas with falling leaves, a shorter lawn prevents leaves from matting down the grass. In snow-prone regions, a final fall mowing on the short side helps prevent snow mold on grass come spring .
How to cut grass at the highest level?
2. Mow High. Double-check your mower deck height, and position it to cut grass at the highest possible setting for your grass type. Cutting high encourages grass plants to grow thicker with deeper roots, which creates a lawn of healthy grass that will help to crowd out weeds. 3.
How to keep grass green and healthy?
3. Water. To keep grass green, healthy, and growing, provide at least 1 inch of water per week, either through irrigation or rainfall. Time irrigation for early morning (between 6 and 10 a.m.) to minimize water loss to evaporation. 4.
Can you use ice melt on lawns?
Choose ice melt products that are designed to be used around the lawn. Rock salt (sodium chloride) can damage plant roots when used excessively.
Dethatching
Soil Testing
- To grow grass successfully, you need the right soil. Most varieties thrive in conditions that are neither acidic nor alkaline. Methods exist to raise or lower soil pH, but you’ve got to know what you’re dealing with. Purchase a soil test kit for around $10 from your neighborhood garden store, or send a soil sample to your local extension office.
Yard Cleanup
- Part of spring lawn care involves clearing away the ravages of winter. Equipped with your rakeand pruning shears, take an exploratory stroll around the property. Look closely for any plants that didn’t survive. Prune damaged or dead branches from trees and bushes, and remove twigs or leaves you find lingering on the grass.
Aeration
- In high-traffic areas, the soil beneath grass gradually becomes compacted and inhospitable to grass roots. Aeration reverses the damage done. Here, using a specialized tool (view on Amazon), wine cork-size plugs are drawn out of the lawn surface, giving roots room to spread and allowing air, nutrients, and moisture to penetrate the soil.
Weed Treatment
- Weed control ranks high among spring lawn-care priorities: If you don’t act against weeds now, before they emerge, you’ll spend the summer battling them—and it’s not a fight you’re liable to win. Prevent weeds from even sprouting by applying a pre-emergent herbicide or explore alternative treatments free of harmful chemicals.
Seeding
- On any bare patches of ground, skip the herbicide and opt instead for grass seed. Be aware, however, that if you’re planting grass in the spring, it’s going to need lots of TLC during the hot summer months—that is, consistent watering and regular weeding—and you’ll most likely have to seed again in the fall.
Equipment Maintenance
- Before the lawn season gets into full swing, inspect all your outdoor tools, including the mower. If necessary, take the machine in for service or give it a tune-up yourself: change the oil, install new spark plugs, and replace the air filter. Also, make sure to have fuel on hand in preparation for the first grass-cutting of the year.