PDF Print E-mail

Lawn Care

A healthy, vigorous lawn not only adds beauty and sophistication to your home; it is also less susceptible to disease and insect problems.  A thick, well-kept lawn also out-competes weeds.  By caring for your lawn throughout the year, you can prevent most problems before they even begin!  Following a maintenance schedule doesn’t need to be daunting. With a few steps, a few times a year, you’ll be rewarded with an attractive, trouble-free lawn.



Weeds


Weeds are an eyesore in a lawn, and can spread quickly.  Prevention is the best way to deal with an existing weed problem.  To prevent weed seeds from germinating, apply corn gluten in early spring and/or early fall.  If you have perennial weeds, hand pulling or applying natural herbicides will also help get them under control.  It may take a while to fully eradicate the weeds in your lawn, but persistence will pay off.


Overseeding


Overseeding is one of the best things you can do for your lawn.  It promotes a thick, healthy, lawn which is insect and disease-resistant.  A thicker lawn also crowds out weeds, giving them little opportunity to grow.  Overseeding can be done twice a year, in early spring and fall when nights are cooler        

To prepare your lawn for seeding, rake the lawn to remove thatch and top-dress with TERRA Lawn Soil or TERRA Plus 3 mix.  Choose a grass seed tailored to your growing location, whether it is sunny, shady or dry.  Apply the seed according to the instructions on the package along with a starter fertilizer to help the seed establish.  Make sure to keep the seeds and soil moist until germination, which usually occurs within a couple of weeks.  Continue to water regularly until the newly-seeded lawn is well established.  


Fertilizing


In order to perform at its’ best, turf grass requires good nutrition.  For optimum growth, a high-quality lawn fertilizer should be applied every 6 to 8 weeks, beginning in early spring.  There are many fertilizers to choose from, with some tailored for particular seasons and others which are useful at any time.  To apply the fertilizer, use a spreader for easy, even application and the best results.   


Maintenance & Watering


The length of your lawn can greatly impact its health and durability.  Grass that is kept quite short becomes stressed, which can lead to disease problems and a weaker root system.  It also exposes more soil surface, which provides ideal conditions for weeds to spread.  Setting your mower to 3 inches high encourages a deeper root system and cooler, shadier soil.  You’ll enjoy a thicker lawn that requires less frequent watering and weeding.    

As the summer sun intensifies in July and August, you might begin to notice drought stress in the lawn.  Browning and dryness are both characteristic of too little water.  A higher mowing height and wise watering practices can help your lawn tolerate droughts more effectively.  The best watering practice is to water thoroughly but infrequently, forcing roots to delve deeper into the soil in search of moisture.  Also consider overseeding in spring and fall with a drought-tolerant grass seed, to encourage a stronger and more durable lawn.