- Aeration can be done in the spring or fall, whenever the lawn is healthy and flourishing. Aeration reduces dirt compaction and allows oxygen and water better access to the roots of the grass. Avoid doing it during the hot summer months when the lawn tends to be more stressed out. Aeration can be done in the spring or fall or both.
- Fertilizer can be applied 4 to 5 times per year. Most nurseries have programs that give you the right fertilizer at the right time. I recommend J&J Nursery in Layton. They produce their own fertilizer (Utah’s Best) and will sell it in bulk. They can tell you what to use and when to use it. Generally, fertilizer is applied in early spring, early summer, mid-summer, late fall, and winter. A good reminder is “fertilize on all the holidays.”
- Remember that with fertilizer, a little goes a long way. It is natural to think that if a little is good, more is better, but in this case, that is not true. Over-fertilization will kill your grass, so it is best to follow the instructions on the bag of fertilizer.
- The NPK count, usually on the front of the bag, indicates the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in the fertilizer. These numbers vary depending on time of year, type of grass, and what that grass needs.
- Mow as needed, usually every 7 to 10 days. Generally, it is best to bag whenever the temperature doesn’t exceed 80 degrees during the day. Once temps are above 80, mulching is ideal to return nutrients to the soil.
- This only needs to be done when there is an excessive amount of thatch in the lawn. It can damage the roots if done too often, but is beneficial when done correctly.
Besides being expensive, over-watering damages the lawn, contributes to poor growth, and causes serious disease problems. Over-watering contributes to iron chlorosis or yellowing in lawns, trees and shrubs, and makes more frequent fertilizer applications necessary. Water is usually applied too often and left on too long so water runs down the gutter. Turf studies show that most lawns only need to be watered once every 3 or 4 days to stay healthy and green. Water infrequently and deeply. If water is applied every day, the roots accumulate in the top 1 to 2 inches of soil. This creates weak plants that are more subject to insect, disease and drought damage.
- Train roots to penetrate deeper into the soil by changing the watering schedule to every other day for a couple of weeks, then every third day, and so on. Eventually the grass responds and develops a root system to match the watering schedule. On average, a lawn needs about 1 inch of water per week. It is better to water less frequently and more deeply (longer amount of time) than more often for shorter intervals. You can check the amount of water your lawn is receiving by setting cans or buckets out when you water and measuring the results. It is better to water in the early morning because that is when most of the water gets absorbed into the soil. During the day, the water evaporates faster. If you water at night, you are more likely to have fungus and mildew problems.
- Do not water in the 24 hours before mowing. When nighttime temperatures consistently fall below 70°, you should only water 2 times per week. If you have any questions about your sprinkling schedule, please feel free to call.
Unfortunately, if your neighbor has weeds or dandelions, you will probably have weeds or dandelions. But, here’s what can help:
- Spray as needed, usually 2-3 times a year. Spraying only kills what is currently growing, it does not prevent more from growing in the future.
- Apply a pre-emergent fertilizer in the spring, which helps prevent weeds from growing.
- A regular fertilizer program with proper mowing creates a healthier lawn that is less prone to weeds.
- After the weed has been sprayed and dies, the dead weed will still need to be removed by hand for better appearance.
- Children and pets are safe to be on treated areas once the product has dried.