How To Maintain the Health Of Your Lawn
Sticking to a maintenance plan is the key to a healthier lawn. By following a specific schedule you are more likely to achieve the desired results.
Preparing your lawn in the spring will give it the head start that it needs for the upcoming growing season. After the snow has melted its time to assess any damage that may have occurred over the winter months. The first thing you want to do is remove any debris, leaves, branches etc to provide air circulation. The next practice you want to complete is Dethatching.
Dethatching
- best time is early spring
- can be done mechanically with power rake or manually
- thatch layer shouldn't exceed 1/2"
- caused by overwatering and overfertilizing with nitrogen
- thatch harbours insects and disease
After dethatching is complete you may choose to aerate.
Aerating
- best time is early spring and fall
- alleviates compacted soil
- creates space in soil for air, water and nutrients producing deeper roots
- use mechanical hollow tyne core aerator for best results
Enhancing soil health
- sandy and clay soils need amending with humus to add texture
- the deeper the roots (10cm) the more healthy top growth will be
- top dress lawn (1/4"-1/2" depth) with a quality mix of loam, peat moss and compost
Overseed
- best time is early fall but can be done in early spring
- use drought resistant mix such as red fescue, tolerates shade, spreads by runners
- use perennial rye grass for full sun applications
- for large areas use broadcast spreader
- consistent overseeding is the best way for a healthier and thicker lawn
Mowing
- cut height should be set at 3"
- make sure your blades are sharp
- mow often, cut no more than 1/3" off the tops
- change mowing direction each week
Fertilizing
- best time is in spring when soil temps warm
- use slow release fertilizer, we use an npk of 16-8-8 for a complete blend
- use broadcast spreader for uniform application
- provides nutrients to outgrow weeds
- late fall fert is best for spring root growth
- lawn needs nitrogen every year
- consider organic fertilizers such as compost tea, manures, corn gluten
Battling weeds
- pull them by hand
- apply pre-emergent corn gluten for crabgrass in spring
- mowing at the proper height is key
- use smallest amount of selective herbicide (fiesta) for application
- nematode spray can be applied to fight grubs
Watering
- needs 1"/week or when signs of stress appear, dulls in colour and wilting
- best time to water is early morning just before sunrise
Here is a monthly guide to help you
April- Spring clean up, remove debris from lawn, assess winter damage
May- Dethatch and aerate
- Topdress and overseed
- Pre-emergents for grab grass, pull weeds
- Fertilize
- Mow twice a week if need
June- Pull weeds, look for signs of disease, maintain cutting height
July- Look for grubs and chinch bug damage, maintain cutting height
August- Apply nematodes to control grub if necessary
- Pull weeds, maintain cutting height
September- Aerate
- Overseed using red fescue (shade) or perennial rye grass (sun)
- Pull weeds, maintain cutting height
October- Remove debris from lawn
- Apply winter fertilizer high in nitrogen
- Maintain cutting height
