General Knowledge

1. Determine the best time to plant grass seed in your area. Primarily, it is best to do so during the Spring or Fall season. 

2. Check the soil temperature. The ideal temperature for seeding is 60 to 80 degrees F.

3. Clear the area. First, remove any roots, stems, debris, or thatch by hand. Then, prepare the soil by raking or tilling the top 2-3 inches. 

4. Spread 1-inch of a Grass Seed Starter Soil. This should be done so evenly over the entire planting area. Mix thoroughly with the native soil using a rake or tiller. Be sure to use a grass seed starter soil that is specially formulated for starting new lawns or repairing bare spots in established lawns.

5. Apply Grass Seed evenly over the entire area. This should be accomplished using either a rotary or drop spreader. For more information on spreaders, check out our article: Spreaders 101. Cover the seeds with a dressing material at 1/3 inches deep to prevent seeds from moving. (You can use the same grass seed starter soil from the previous tip. Lightly rake and roll the surface area to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.)

6. Gently water immediately after planting. Continue to keep the soil well-watered until the grass begins to grow. When grass is 1-2 inches, water every 3 to 5 days or as needed, depending on weather.

7. Keep all traffic off of the new lawn. Continue with normal traffic after the grass becomes well established and is at least 3-inches tall. You may want to block off the newly planted area, especially for households with small children and animals.

8. Replant as necessary. Sometimes, with extreme weather conditions and/or traffic, grass seed can get washed or blown away. Replant using the same steps as needed to ensure successful and even growth.

Keep Watering

Lawns need lots of water when it’s dry out even in the fall. Make sure to water deeply enough to reach the roots. One inch of water per week is an ideal amount, but it is important you don’t soak your lawn. Try our one-time easy solution to confirm your lawn receives the proper amount of water.

Dethatch

The removal of thatch helps maintain a healthy lawn. Decomposing grass, stems, dead roots and yard debris is considered thatch. It prevents water, sun, and fertilizer from reaching the roots. It is also a place for disease and insects to hide. Be sure to remove thatch from your lawn anytime thatch it is present. 

Aerate

This is the process of puncturing numerous holes in the ground with either a rod or an automatic machine at a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Once you are finished, it is a great time to fertilize and over seed to improve the overall health and beauty of your lawn. Top-dressing, after aerating, with organic material like compost or peat moss improves soil structure for h5er turf in the long run. Aerating is always a good idea when you have soil compaction, as it is extremely effective in loosening the soil. Aeration creates a healthy root zone by increasing air space and allows water and fertilizer penetration to reach the roots. Be sure to give your lawn time to repair before cool season dormancy occurs. For more information, check out our article: Fall Is Fix Up Time. 

Apply a Top Dressing

Top-dress your lawn by applying a thin layer of topsoil to your existing turf. By adding topsoil, the organic matter is increased, which in turn makes your lawn healthier and protected so it can survive the cool winter weather. Make sure you have dethatched and/or aerated your lawn prior to applying top dressing. Then work the topsoil into your turf by raking it in. 

Overseed

Adding grass seed to your current lawn increases overall appearance and thickens your yard. To overseed, first mow the lawn short and rake out the thatch. Then aerate to loosen the soil. Plant grass seed evenly with either a drop or rotary spreader. Water immediately after planting and continue to water daily until the grass begins to grow. Let grass become well established before the first mow. For more information, check out our article: Grass Seed 101. 

Repair Dead Patches

Find areas where grass is thin or dead. Rake the area 1 to 2 inches to expose the soil. Then mix in a grass seed starting soil to enhance the native soil by adding nutrients for the newly planted seeds. Be sure to use a grass seed that matches your existing lawn and follow the packaging instructions carefully. 

“Winterize” Your Lawn

Fall is prime time for your lawn to recuperate from the harsh summer weather. Cooler conditions and plenty of rainfall help your lawn develop new growth. However, your lawn needs the proper nutrients in order to stay healthy and flourish. That is why applying a winterizer to your lawn in the fall is essential! It helps prepare your lawn for winter stress and helps promote early spring green-up. In addition, it gives your lawn a lengthened period of green color and increased resistance to disease and drought in the summer. For more information, check out our articles: The Importance of Applying Fertilizer in the Fall and Winterizer & Weed Feed 101. 

Adjust Your Mowing Height

If you still have the height on your mower raised from summer, now is the time to lower it. Cutting your grass correctly is important in order to reduce damage and increase its quality. Keep your grass around 2 inches tall to prevent it from matting down under leaves and snow. Make sure the mower blades are always sharp and clean. For more information, check out our article: Mow Your Lawn. 

Rake Your Lawn

As the season begins to change, get a head start on raking your leaves especially on newly planted grass. Rake the leaves in to flower beds that won’t bloom until spring. You can also mow over the leaves to help supply the lawn with additional nutrients or for compost projects. And don’t forget about your shrubs and plants! Use shredded leaves as mulch to protect their base. Always be sure to wear gloves. For more information, check out our article: Leaf Blowing Tips Tricks.

We all know how important it is to feed our lawns towards keeping them healthy and vibrant. With the help of fertilizer spreaders, it is easy to keep your turf looking beautiful all year long. Spreaders are the fastest and most effective way to apply lawn food. They ensure an even distribution of lawn care products, plus they make it easy to avoid spilling on sidewalks, patios, driveways, flower gardens and landscapes. Lawn spreaders can also be used for grass seed application in the spring or fall or for spreading ice melting agents during the winter months.

For lawn fertilizer application, there are two types of spreaders found at lawn and garden retailers, drop spreader or broadcast spreaders. The type of spreader used depends on lawn size and shape.

Drop spreaders are relatively inexpensive and are recommended for lawns of less than 5,000 sq. ft. or if you want precise application of lawn care materials. They drop fertilizer, grass seed or herbicide directly on the lawn in a straight path so you can easily control the distribution pattern and allows for easy maneuverability in tight spaces.

Broadcast, or rotary, spreaders operate by throwing lawn care products in a wide swath in all directions providing more uniform coverage, however it can be difficult to adequately reach the edges of your lawn. Broadcast spreaders require a bit more skill to use, but the speed of application is faster than a drop spreader. Broadcast spreaders are also recommended for lawns over 5,000 sq. ft.

The spreader and lawn size determine the application rate. Always follow the instructions and spreader settings on the lawn care packaging for even distribution. Avoid applying lawn products on a windy day and always clean out spreader after application.

Feeding your lawn is crucial for overall health. Implement a Lawn Fertilizer Program to help maintain timing and application of the correct and effective nutrients. A nourished lawn will make your job easier during the growing season.

Spring is a great season! The snow and cold is slowly disappearing, the days are getting longer and the sun is feeling warm again. Once this time breaks, most jump at the opportunity to get outdoors. This is a great time to start preparing your lawn for the growing season. Be sure the ground is dry enough to avoid compacting the soil or damaging your lawn.

Rake. Start off the growing season with a clean, fresh lawn. Remove any sticks, leaves and debris that can harm the mower blades. It will also expose the soil and grass to the warm sun. 

Aerating. Aeration is always a good idea when you have soil compaction, especially from the cold winter months. Aeration helps the roots breath and creates space for fertilizer, seed and water to reach the roots. The optimal time to aerate for warm season grasses is in the spring/early summer and for cool season grasses is in the fall. Be sure to give your lawn time to repair before it goes dormant. 

Seed. Spring is a great time for repairing and fixing bare spots. Rake the area 1 to 2 inches to expose the soil and mix in a lawn soil formulated for starting grass from seed or sod. This will enhance the native soil by adding nutrients for the newly planted seeds. Be sure to use a grass seed that matches your existing lawn and follow the packaging instructions carefully. Fall is the best time to renew an entire lawn because it is less stressful on the grass. It will also be easier to keep up on watering and weeds begin to go dormant. The grass can become established, then once spring arrives, it is ready to grow! You can certainly renew a lawn in the spring; it is just not the optimal time. 

Weed Control. If grassy weeds, like crabgrass, have been a past problem, stop them before they begin. Apply a fertilizer with a pre- and early post – emergent before the soil temperatures warm up for season-long control of crabgrass. Be sure to only apply to well-established lawns with a developed root system. Some weeds can be dealt with by hand. Stay on track by implementing a Lawn Fertilizer Program. This helps maintain timing and application of the correct and effective nutrients. 

Watering. Newly seeded areas require daily watering in order to keep the soil and seed contact moist. Even one day of drying can cause damage. Once lawn growth has been established, reduce the frequency of watering, and increase the duration. Water deeply in order to encourage healthy root growth and to discourage weeds. 

Mowing. Before your first mow, make sure the moisture level is low and your lawn is not soggy or damp. Be sure your mower blades are sharp and clean. Follow the 1/3rd trim rule by only mowing 1/3rd off the grass blade during each mowing. Taller grass survives long and healthier in severe weather conditions as well as discouraging weed germination. The size of the shoot is the size of the root.

Fall is prime time for your lawn to recuperate from the harsh summer weather. Cooler conditions and plenty of rainfall help your lawn develop new growth. However, your lawn needs the proper nutrients in order to stay healthy and flourish. That is why applying fertilizer to your lawn in the fall is essential! It helps prepare your lawn for winter stress and helps promote early spring green-up. In addition, it gives your lawn a lengthened period of green color and increased resistance to disease and drought in the summer. 

The Importance of Applying Fall Fertilizer at the Correct Time
Your should put on your final application of lawn fertilizer in late October or early November—when the grass has stopped growing and doesn’t need to be mowed (the point where root growth is preferred over shoot growth), but 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes. Correct timing is imperative for best results. If done properly, fall fertilization provides better winter color of your lawn, quick spring green up, and a strong root system. 

The Importance of Having a Strong Root System Before Winter
As the cooler weather starts to occur, your lawn goes into its “dormancy” stage. This means that the top growth of the grass plant begins slow down and the root growth takes off. If your lawn has a strong root system going into the winter season, it will be able to withstand the stresses of winter, have a quicker green up in the spring, and become more resistant to disease and drought in the summer.

Fall is prime time for your lawn to recuperate from the harsh summer weather. Cooler conditions and plenty of rainfall help your lawn develop new growth. However, your lawn needs the proper nutrients in order to stay healthy and flourish. Winterizer Weed & Feed helps prepare your lawn for winter stress and helps promote early spring green-up along with controlling lawn weeds. 

When to Apply: 
Apply when broadleaf weeds are actively growing in the early fall. Apply when the air is calm to ensure uniform coverage and avoid spreading granules onto flowers, vegetables and ornamental shrubbery. Possible re-treatment may be necessary if lawn is heavily overrun by weeds, adverse low moisture conditions prevail, or if weeds are in a state of poor growth. 

How to Apply: 

1. Determine size of area to be treated. Measure length and width in feet, then multiply to determine coverage area in square feet (length x width). Next, subtract non-lawn areas. 
2. Mow lawn to normal height 1 to 2 days before application. 
3. Water lawn thoroughly at least 1 to 2 days before application to sustain moisture until the next watering. 
4. Apply when broadleaf weeds are young and actively growing, preferably in the morning when dew is on the grass. At the time of application, moisture on the weed leaves from dew, rainfall or irrigation/watering aids in control. If grass is not moist at time of application, sprinkle lightly with water before applying product. 
5. Avoid applying when temperatures are consistently above 90° F. 
6. Do not wash from weed leaves for 1 to 2 days after application. At this time, a thorough watering should be made. 

Apply using a broadcast spreader or drop spreader. See packaging for spreader settings. 

For best results, water your lawn within 24 hours after application. Typically, lawns require 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. Your lawn will dry out faster on slopes and near curbs and sidewalks, so water these areas thoroughly.