Caring For Your Cool Season Lawn
Or, you could call this "How To Get A Lawn And A Life," if you've always been out there killing yourself over having a lush, green lawn, but have never actually achieved it.
One reason could be that you are just too obsessed with it and just don't leave it alone enough. Your lawn may be overly fertilized, or cut, or watered.
First, you should always check your irrigation system. Have your maintenance company check on the timing of the zones and the direction and the integrity of each of the zones and their spray heads.
If you do not have an irrigation system, and you water with movable sprinklers, get yourself a timer so you move the sprinkler around on the lawn in even increments of 15 to 20 minutes. This really is very important.
Next, you should check your equipment for spreading seed and fertilizer. Be sure it is clean and unclogged.
Now you should print out this schedule and keep it in your garage or shed for easy reference:
Many areas now have moratoriums on when you can start fertilizing, according to last freeze dates, so check with your local Natural Resources Department or Co-Operative. Depending upon your area, you may start a week earlier or later, but lets say you start MidMarch. Also, read the directions on the bags to get proper coverage for your area.
Before April 15th:
Spot Seed
Lime
Fertilize
Treat with Pre-Emergent
You can use a "Weed and Feed" that contains crab-grass killer instead of a fertilizer and pre-emergent
MidApril to May 10th:
Spot Seed
Spot Weed Control
Fertilize
Treat with Weed Killer
You can also use "Weed and Feed"
MidMay through July
Spot Weed where necessary
Apply Fertilizer with Insecticide
August
Relax
Late August through September
Overseed
Treat for grubs
Lime
Spot Weed
October through November
Fertilize
Treat for grubs if necessary
If you've been trying to do this all along, and still something is wrong, pick up a soil test kit, or bring a sample to your local Co-Operative. Co-Operatives are there to learn what is going on in the area and they can give you a custom plan on what to do, or not do, to have a beautiful, perfect lawn, that will make the neighbors green with envy.
Good luck!
© Barbara Frerichs
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