from mowing , soil compaction may become an issue . A good indicator of if your lawn needs to be aerified is the presence of moss , which thrives in compacted soil . Aerifying your lawn will relieve soil compaction and allow air to penetrate the soil and reach the rootzone of your turf .
Assess Soil : Before any fertilizer , herbicide or soil amendments are added I would suggest sending a soil sample off for testing . This can be done at our local farmer ’ s co-op located in town . Once the testing has been completed you should receive the results with recommendations for soil amendments that may be needed for your lawn .
Overseed : Lawns can become riddled with bare patches due to a variety of issues , dog spots , heavy traffic and even years of neglect . An easy application of grass seed can be conducted . What is important to remember here is choosing the correct grass for what your overall desired outcome is and this is dependent on your preferences .
Overseeding is the process of sowing seed over and into the existing turf stand you have in your lawn . After overseeding is completed I would suggest applying a slow release fertilizer with a nutrient analysis of 1-2-1 . Phosphorous , the middle number of the 1-2-1 , is required for root development . The type of grass you choose can take anywhere from 7-28 days to germinate .
Fertilize : You will want to choose a fertilizer that coincides with your soil report , assuming one is conducted . There are numerous types of fertilizer to use at your disposal including organic compost and chemical fertilizers , which are the most widely used and recommended by turf grass professionals . It is my recommendation to apply a light application of fertilizer to your turf at a nitrogen ration of . 5 lb N / M to . 3 / 4 lb N / M . Feeding the turf grass too heavily in the Spring can lead to many unwanted outcomes including increased weed populations and disease .
Apply a Pre-Emergent : For those homeowners who prefer a weed free lawn , applying a preemergent fertilizer is the best way of obtaining your desired outcome . Spring lawn care is all about weed prevention and management as much as it is for setting your lawn up for a successful Summer . Depending on what types of weeds your lawn contains , annual or perennial , you will need to purchase a fertilizer labeled for that particular use . The most common turfgrass weeds homeowners encounter are crabgrass and clover . Crabgrass is an annual weed and begins its assault on lawns when temperatures are consistently between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit . Pre-emergent fertilizers will only work on the weeds listed on the label if it is applied before the crabgrass begins to germinate in your soil . The pre-emergent works and acts as a chemical barrier between the top layer of soil and the seeds laying just below . If you are planning on aerifying your lawn , the aerification must be completed prior to any chemical application . The same goes for any overseeding practices . Pre-emergent fertilizer will work the same way on grass seed as it does annual weed seeds which may be laying dormant in your lawn .
Apply Post emergent Herbicide ( Or Pull Weeds ): If your lawn becomes inundated with perennial weeds such as dandelions , your options include a post emergent herbicide or pulling the weeds by hand . Dandelions will be the first indicator if you will have an issue . If you plan on using a post emergent herbicide make sure it is labeled for broad leaf weeds as well , it is more effective to treat them in the Spring than Fall .
There are products labeled for both pre- and post-emergent herbicide applications . As well as fertilizers coated in both pre- and postemergent herbicides . For those only wanting to apply fertilizer once , I would suggest this option . It is the most time and cost-effective means of treating your home lawn and ensuring you are set up for success once your lawn become stressed due to warmer temperatures in the Summer .
Service the Lawn Mower : It ’ s always a good rule of thumb to service your mowing and grooming equipment before you need to use them . This way when you ’ re ready to start that mower for use you know it ’ s ready ! For mowers that seem stubborn to start or sounds off it might be time for a tune-up . It is recommended that your mower be serviced at least once a year and be sure to make there is plenty of fuel in the tank . If you need repair , you can reach out to one of the local shops which does this type of repairs and services .
If anyone has any questions about which products to use or timing of any of the above-mentioned tasks , please feel free to reach out directly to me at : jvalentino @ lexingtongolfandcountryclub . com
Best Wishes ,
Jake Valintino
Superintendent
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