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Healthy Lawn Care Tips

EARLY SPRING LAWN CARE

  • Keep off the lawn in the spring until the ground has dried and is firm to walk on.
  • Rake up debris, dead grass, leaves, etc.
  • Roll "frost bumps" with a light roller.
  • Aerate the lawn annually in high traffic area, every other year usually sufficient in low use areas.
  • Apply a premium slow release lawn fertilizer.
  • If crabgrass was a problem last year apply a premium slow release lawn fertilizer with a crabgrass preventer*.
EARLY SPRING LAWN CARE

LATE SPRING

  • Apply grass seed to repair damaged areas or thicken existing lawn*
  • Apply a premium slow release lawn fertilizer.
  • Following mowing suggestions listed below.
  • If lawn weeds are a problem see FAQ's Page

SUMMER LAWN CARE

  • Following watering and mowing suggestions listed below.
  • Apply a premium slow release lawn fertilizer.
  • If insects are a problem see FAQ's Page

FALL LAWN CARE

  • Fall is the best time to apply grass seed to repair damaged areas or thicken existing lawn*
  • Following watering and mowing suggestions listed below.
  • Apply a premium winterizing fertilizer.
  • If lawn weeds are a problem see FAQ's Page

*Grass seed germination is not compatible with weed control products used on lawns. They cannot be applied with in 6 week of each other. As a general rule - seed in the spring and weed in the fall or weed in the spring and seed in the fall.

 FALL LAWN CARE

WATERING

  • Most lawns require a minimum of 2.5cm (1") of water per week during the summer.
  • In dry conditions, water heavily once a week as opposed to a daily sprinkling (daily sprinkling encourages shallow roots, which will increase the chance of burn during hot spells)
  • Try to wet the entire root zone.
  • Do not water at night – the chance of fungus developing is increased.
  • Use a rain gauge or aluminum pie plate to measure if the correct amount of water is being applied.

MOWING

  • Ensure mower blade is sharp to prevent frayed appearance.
  • Mow to 5cm to 7.5cm (2"-3") in spring and fall
  • Raise mower another 1cm (½") during hot weather to improve drought resistance.
  • Never remove more than 1/3rd of the grass blade at one mowing.
  • Change direction of the cut each time to keep coarse grasses under control and ensure an even surface.

AERATION

  • Dethatching is no longer a recommended practice on home lawns. It creates openings for weed germination and causes stress to the existing turf. Aeration is now recommended for decreasing thatch as well as compaction.
  • Aeration will increase the amount of air, water and nutrients getting to the soil, which will strengthen grass roots and help create a healthier lawn.
  • Aeration should be done annually in high traffic areas.
  • Aeration before an application of fertilizer will allow nutrients easier access to root systems.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION

  • Read the complete label before using.
  • Remove debris, toys, etc from the lawn.
  • Use a good broadcast spreader with an accurate flow setting.
  • Wash and lubricate spreader after use.
  • Fill the spreader on the drive or walk and not on the lawn.
  • Sweep up spilt fertilizer.
  • Shut off the spreader when stopping or turning.
  • Apply half of the required fertilizer in one direction on the lawn (i.e. north/south). Apply the remaining fertilizer across the lawn (i.e. east/west). This will help to provide even coverage and prevent streaking from missed spots and overlap.
  • Do not apply Weed & Feed when rain is expected.
  • Do not water the lawn for 48 hours after applying Weed & Feed
  • Store any remaining fertilizer in a cool dry place.
  • Wash after using fertilizer.

HOW TO CALIBRATE YOUR FERTILIZER SPREADER

If your spreader's setting is not listed on the bag, you can determine which setting to use by conducting this simple test:

  1. Read all directions and precautions on the bag.
  2. Weigh out enough of the fertilizer to cover 100 m2 and put it in the spreader. (Bathroom scales will help you do this)
  3. Set your spreader on a low setting. (Usually one quarter of the way open is a good starting point.)
  4. Spread the material you put in the spreader over 100 m2 (10m x 10m) [1076 sq. ft (33 ft x 33 ft)].
  5. Ideally the product will run out when you get to the end of the 100 m2 area. If you have a little left over. Increase the setting slightly. If you don't have enough to cover the full 100 m2, reduce the setting slightly.
  6. Write the setting and product name on a piece of tape and apply to the spreader for future reference.
 HOW TO CALIBRATE YOUR FERTILIZER SPREADER

SOIL pH OR ACIDITY

Soil pH is defined as "potential hydrogen" but a more accurate description is "hydrogen ion concentration". It is a scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of soil. Soil amendments such as lime, gypsum and sulphur in conjunction with fertilization are typically used to help adjust pH of soil.

In general, a pH of 7.0 (neutral) is most desirable for overall nutrient availability. A low pH (acidic soils) can be corrected using a lime. A high pH (alkaline soils) can usually be corrected by adding sulphur or ammonium or other acidifiers like aluminum sulphate. Remember that a soil pH of 5.0 is ten times more acidic than a soil with a pH of 6.0.

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