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The Perfect
Lawn
By Bruce Zimmerman
Article compliments of www.brucezimmerman.com
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To obtain or maintain the perfect lawn the
following procedures are offered for your consideration. First analysis your
lawn's problems. Then select the
curative steps from the list below.
Step 1:
Ensure one inch of moisture every seven to ten
days (measure with a rain gauge)
Step 2:
Early spring raking with a leaf rake to remove most
dead grass and thatch.
Step 3:
Fertilize in early April with high nitrogen fertilizer
plus Crabgrass Preventer or Corn Meal Gluten.
Step 4:
Fertilize in May-June with high nitrogen fertilizer
(21-7-7). To control weeds, hand pick or dig out.
For large problems or difficult to control weeds (Creeping Charlie,
Bindweed etc.) Spray with a weed spray combining 2-4-D, Mecaprop, and Dicamba.
Spray weekly until controlled – spray on Wednesday, cut the lawn on Saturday,
Water Sunday to Tuesday
Step 5:
Fertilize in late June with high nitrogen
fertilizer (21-7-7)
Step 6:
During the summer heat the lawn will be cut higher 2-2 ½
inches or higher depending on the type of grass and environmental conditions.
Step 7:
Fertilize the lawn as often as its rate of growth slows to
cutting less than once a week and it's colour pales.
During the summer fertilize with non burning organic based fertilizer, Milorganite
or a low nitrogen milorganite based fertilizer.
Step 8:
In mid August it is decision time.
If your lawn does measures up to your expectations you can continue with
your lawn fertilizing and watering program.
If not, then now is the time to prepare to seed the thin or bare areas.
Step 9:
Continue feeding as necessary
to keep your lawn healthy and growing until the ground freezes.
Step 10:
After the turf area is frozen apply a high nitrogen
fertilizer.
Some further tips to
produce the perfect lawn are:
- Rolling lawns even with a light roller can
compact your soil. Roll only
where frost heaving has occurred. Where
heavy rolling has gone on aerate your lawn and top dress with weed free
organic material in the spring (peat moss)
- Grass clippings may be left on the lawn if
they are small enough to quickly decay and not build up excessive thatch.
These small grass clippings will add organic material and nutrients
back into the soil.
- During the moist cool spring and autumn your
lawn will be cut short at a height of 1 ½ to 2 inches.
- Cut your lawn in alternating patterns.
This week east to west, next north to south, next week diagonally.
- Never cut off more than 40% of the leaf area
at any one mowing. This
severely weakens the lawns ability to produce food.
This reduces your lawns vigour and allows weeds and diseases to gain
a foot hold in your lawn.
- Water in very early morning and water heavily
to provide deep penetration. Light
sprinkling induces shallow rooting which is more susceptible to water and
heat stress.
Bug Control:
Do not use a
pesticide to control minor problems. Spray
for bugs only if heavy infestation occurs.
You can check this by cutting back a bit of sod. The general
rule is do not treat your turf grass unless there is more than five White Grubs
per square foot. Or if your lawn is
being heavily frequented by nocturnal animals digging, then spray. Remember that
these animals are a natural control and you can keep repairing the turf each
morning by pressing it back down or re-seeding. Where White grubs are a serious
and persistent problem have your Turf Care Professional apply Merit™.
Spray according to the
directions and in a safe manner.
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Article compliments of www.brucezimmerman.com
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