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Landscape Calendar

Maintaining a landscape calendar is important to keeping your yard looking great all year round. 

 

April 

  • Spring Cleanup (raking up leaves and debris from turf. Clearing out beds of any winter interest and leaves/debris)

  • If going the lawn care route, this is when a pre-emergent Crab Grass Herbicide should be applied

  • If any bare spots are in your turf, make sure to avoid these areas with the pre-emergent herbicide. That will completely halt any germination of seed, for up to 3 months. If a lot of spots need to be patched, its somewhat wise to skip the crabgrass prevention, to ensure your seed doesnt get wasted.

  • Mow your lawn for the first time once it has greened up, and started growing. Cut to roughly 2.5-3.5 inches based on personal preference. Mow as needed, typically weekly, to keep grass at proper height. Try to avoid removing ⅓ of the total blade, to prevent stressing the grass.

 

May 

  • For excessive thatch, spring core aeration will help to break down that thatch layer.

  • Mid-late May - Fertilize with slow controlled release fertilzer. Shady grass should receive about half of the label rate to avoid burning out the turf. Follow labels for sunny areas. Typically this can be done around labor day.

  • If using herbicides, this is the time to blanket spray a selective herbicide to remove turfgrass weeds from your lawn. This is typically done at the same time as the fertilizer. DO NOT HERBICDE NEWLY SEEDED AREAS, as this will kill newly established turf. 

 

June 

  • This is a major time for insects/pests and diseases to show up. Monitor your turf and plant material in beds for any signs of damage or disease. Many pests and diseases can be treated by the average homeowner with some research, or call one of the many I&D (insect and disease) capable companies to come assess and treat.

  • This is when grass can start to brown out during low rain. You can water your lawn as needed to keep it green if that is a sticking point for you. Otherwise you can let it go dormant(brown), and reduce mowing during the summer season.

 

July 

  • Continue watering lawn as needed if that is the route you took. 

  • A mid season fertilizer can be applied at this time, to help keep lawns green and healthy. This step can be skipped typically if you have had your lawn fertilized for many years, and leave your clippings when mowing. Your turf should be healthy and established enough to skip on that mid summer fertilizer application.

  • If you typically have grub problems, July is the time to do a first grub application. The Insecticide needs to be watered in, so keep that in mind if going that route. 

 

August 

  • Asses your lawn, for any repairs that may have not taken in spring, or new damage from enjoying your lawn so far. Soil,seed, a seed cover and a sprinkler can set you up to have the best success rate for newly seeded areas. Setting a timer to ensure proper watering times helps tremendously, especially if you are prone to forget here and there.

  • Continue to monitor for insects/diseases. Summer stress on plants means that pests and diseases will have a greater impact on your plants and turf.

 

September 

  • Early to mid September, its a good idea to fertilizer your lawn with a slow controlled-release fertilizer. Same as in spring, applying half rate to heavily shaded areas is a safe bet to avoid burning out healthy turf from too much fertilizer.

  • A blanket application of selective turf herbicide should be applied in September, to kill off any turf weeds growing and going to seed.

  • A core aeration in fall is the best time to aerate. Similar to spring, it will help to break down existing thatch layer, and improve the ability for oxygen and water/fertilizer to reach the roots, instead of being held up by the thick thatch layer.

  • Overseeding after an aeration can help to strengthen your lawn, and with the fall rains, typically heavy watering is not necessary. 

  • Continue to mow weekly, as needed. Monitor beds for weeds to pull.

 

October

  • If you had not applied a broadleaf selective herbicide to your turf in September, you can apply in October if you notice weeds growing that you didn't in September.

  • Continue to mow weekly, and monitor for bed weeds.

 

November 

 

  • Continue to mow your grass as needed until it goes dormant for the season. 

  • A winterizing fertilizer can be applied October/November to help strengthen root systems and help to ensure your turf survives whatever winter we get.

 

This may seem like a lot, that's because it is! Reach out if you think you need help.