Lawn Care

    There are several items to consider when seeding, overseeding and maintaining a lawn. We have provided some suggestions below which will help you in achieving a successful result. A lush, healthy lawn provides improved value to your property and also suppresses weeds and insect damage. Choosing the proper mix is the first step.

     

    Seeding Your Lawn

    SOIL PREPARATION
    Establish a seedbed by working the soil with a rototiller or similar implement. Level and firm by dragging and/or raking. A preplant fertilizer is advisable and use should be based on a soil test. Generally about 5 lbs. per 1000 ft2 of a 20-20-20 or an equivalent formulation is helpful but consult you dealer for best results. Preplant fertilizer should be well incorporated into the soil prior to planting.
    PLANTING
    Spread seed evenly and rake lightly to incorporate seed into the to 1/8 to 1/4 inch of soil. A seeding rate of about 5 lbs. per 1000ft2 is recommended. Do not bury seed too deeply as seed buried deeper than one inch may not emerge.
    WATERING
    After seeding, keep the soil moist with light, frequent watering until the first mowing. Apply irrigation until slight puddling occurs in footprints or minor depressions. Irrigate in the evening if water can only be applied once per day. This will allow the soil to stay moist all night and into the morning.
    MOWING
    Start mowing as soon as the grass is one inch taller than the desired maintenance height. Under average conditions this will be 3 or 4 weeks after seeding.

     

    Overseeding an Existing Lawn

    SOIL PREPARATION
    Seed in early to mid spring or in late summer or fall.
    LAWN PREPARATION
    Mow the lawn as short as possible. It is helpful to remove as much thatch and plant debris as practical with a vertical mower or rake. Top dress with additional soil or mulch in order to establish.
    PLANTING
    Spread evenly and rake lightly to incorporate seed into top 1/8 to 1/4 inch of soil. An overseeding rate of about 3 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. is recommended. Do not bury seed too deeply as buried deeper than one inch may not emerge
    WATERING
    After seeding, keep the soil moist with light, frequent watering until the first mowing. Apply irrigation until slight puddling occurs in footprints or minor depressions. Irrigate in the evening if water can only be applied once per day. This will allow the soil to stay moist all night and into the morning.
    MOWING
    Start mowing as soon as the grass is one inch taller than the desired maintenance height. Under average conditions this will be 3 or 4 weeks after seeding.

     

    Maintaining Your Lawn

    MOWING
    A mowing height between 1 ½ and 3 inches is recommended. Frequent mowing is best. Try not to remove more than one inch of leaf height when mowing. It is desirable to leave clippings on the lawn, unless it is so thick that it will smother grass or seriously detract from appearance.
    WATERING
    During drought periods, weekly deep watering that soaks the top 12 inches of soil is recommended. Frequent light watering may lead to shallow roots and disease problems.
    FERTILIZING
    Fertilizer is best applied in the fall and the early spring. Fertilizing in hot weather may damage turf. Applications of fertilizer are best applied based on soil test. For most lawns several applications of a slow release balanced fertilizer such as 16-4-8 or equivalent formulations are desirable. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package.