Lawn Maintenance is easier than you think!

Lawn maintenance is easier than you think!

Most lawns go through 4 seasons:

1.  The spring thaw,
2. The summer dormancy, 
3. The fall growth, and
4. Winter

Your lawn has different needs through each season, but by following these simple steps, you will see a drastic improvement in your lawn’s health and appearance!

Week	Approx dates	Lawn care	Plant care
Week 1	April 6-12	Apply corn gluten	Dormant oil spray
Week 2-3	April 13-19	Dethatch and aerate	Remove debris and weak stems
Week 3-4	April 20-27	Overseed and top-dress Apply beneficial nematodes	Apply slow release fertilizer
Week 5-10	May 1	Mowing and fertilize!	Plant cold-tolerant shrubs, trees, perennials, and cold-tolerant seeds
	May 21		Plant hardened annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees!

 

 

 SPRING THAW: TAKE PICTURES!

As the snow melts, your lawn will feel spongy and wet. Take note of any areas that accumulate standing water, dry out easily, or retain more snow. These are indications of how your turf will respond to the light and soil conditions later in the summer. Standing water may mean that you need to raise the soil level using topsoil, and overseeding the affected area. When grass is left to sit in water, it can suffocate the roots, yellow the turf, and lead to dead spots. Areas where snow is slower to melt may also mean that this area is shaded and will require a shade mix in order to properly overseed. If you notice that birds and rodents are digging through the grass, you may have white grubs. Take pictures and notes of your lawn in late March so that you can later remember these conditions!

WEED PREVENTIONS STARTS ON WEEK 1!

As the tulips start to push up, the forsythia bloom, and the maple buds swell, we notice that spring has started! This is the perfect time to apply corn gluten to your lawn. Corn gluten is a natural fertilizer that also inhibits the establishment of weeds. Apply a generous layer to your grass just before the rain, ideally on a day with little to no wind. Once the corn gluten is wet, it will become a gelatinous consistency and dissolve over time. Buy your con gluten today, online or in store!

DETHATCH AND AERATE (WEEKS 2-3)

Dethatch your lawn! Unhealthy amounts of thatch prevent water and nutrients from reaching roots, affecting your lawn’s health throughout the spring and summer. Thatch can also harbour insects and diseases. Common pests like chinch bugs thrive in compact grasses. Dethatching your lawn can be done manually or with a mower attachment. Using a fine-tooth rake or dethatching attachment will suffice to break up any thatch in the turf. This is also commonly known as spring cleaning! Remove debris, garbage, or stones blown from snowplows off the turf to ensure healthy and even growth.

Aeration is different than dethatching and should only be done once the grass has started to grow. Aeration is the process of poking holes into the earth, roughly 2” deep, to break up compact soils and allow the grass roots to thrive. If you have a small yard, you will be able to manually aerate your yard using spiked sandals, a pitchfork, or an aerating spike. Larger yards will benefit from using a machine. You can rent one yourself or contact a landscaper to aerate your lawn. This can be done in late April and May when the grass can recover quickly!

OVERSEED AND TOPDRESS YOUR LAWN! (WEEKS 3-4)

Look back to the pictures you took in March. Any areas with standing water, uneven turf, or bare spots should be addressed by topdressing and overseeding. Topdressing is the application of a thin layer of topsoil to the turf. If you notice that the earth is dry, lacking depth, or uneven, applying topsoil to the lawn can help improve the soil quality before applying any fertilizers!

Reseeding and overseeding is best done when the weather is cool, between 10 and 15 degrees. If it is too hot, the grass seed will not germinate! Overseeding is also the next step in weed management as it will naturally crowd out any weeds that are trying to grow. This will also help you maintain an even, lush appearance. Continue this practice through the season as needed! 

Finally, make sure you pick the right grass seed! We have special blends of grass seed that better tolerate shaded areas or dry, hot areas. Picking the right grass seed will help with the overall growth and fullness of the grass. 

TIME TO MOW! (May and onward)

Once your grass reaches about 4”, it is time to mow! Keep your grass between 6 to 8 cm, or 2-3”. Grass this length will develop a deep, extensive root system and grow thicker. Grass this height helps the soil to retain its moisture better. In the spring and fall, you should mow frequently - cut no more than 1/3 of shoot length. I usually have to cut my lawn once or twice a week at the end of spring. I also leave the short clippings on the lawn to provide a natural source of nitrogen. Sometimes I do need to rake it through to ensure that there will be no thatched spots. Be sure to have your mower inspected each season, and have your blades sharpened regularly!

FERTILIZE! (May and onward)

During the spring and fall peaks, it is important to regularly fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer to promote thick, even growth. Use a slow release type of fertilizer and follow instructions. Using a spreader will improve the even application.

SUMMER DORMANCY: BACK OFF!

During the heat of summer, most lawns go dormant! Cut back on moving, stop fertilizing, and keep an eye out for lawn pests like cinch bugs. If you need to water, water infrequently but deeply. Saturate the soil to encourage the roots to grow down. Manually remove weeds from the turf and avoid reseeding as it is too hot to germinate grass seed.

FALL PEAK!

As the weather gets cooler, your grass will begin growing again! Repeat weeks 2-8. Fall fertilization and aeration will improve your spring growth!