LAWN CARE A YEAR LONG PROCESS

by

Helen M. Davis

You’ve finally gotten the lawn of your dreams put in or perhaps, you are considering it and want to know what you will need to do to keep it looking magnificent. It’s a process that requires a bit of effort throughout the year, but it will pay off when you are gazing with pride at a carpet of lush green grass that is the very essence of what a lawn should be.

Come January there really isn’t much to do as you ring in the new year, but you do need to keep an eye out and if needed treat for moss. Nobody wants a lawn that is more moss than grass after all, and moss is an opportunist that will readily take over if given a chance.

February is the time to show your lawn that it, too, is your Valentine. Rather than a box of chocolates, however, your lawn will appreciate having broadleaf weeds such as dandelions hand dug out. As far as your lawn is concerned, there is nothing dandy about them. This is also the time to treat with organic fertilizer at the end of the month and, of course, if need be, treat for moss.

March brings spring and this brings a need to mow. The inaugural mow should be done with the blade on your mower set low and this is also the time to treat your lawn with lime to balance the pH levels in your soil as too little will begin to inhibit the availability of nutrients and even a lawn needs its nutrition. John and Bob’s Soil Optimizer is 100% organic and safe for both people and pets. Using it will improve poor soil quality and increase fertility, making it a good choice for pampering your lawn. It should be applied at a rater of 1 cup for every 180 square feet. Late March, you will need to de-thatch your lawn, which, for the uninitiated, is the removing of a mat-like layer of organic matter such as dead grass, mulched leaves, rhizomes and other as yet to decompose debris. It is also the time to aerate, or perforate the soil beneath your lawn to allow air, water and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass, which will aid them with growing deeply and producing a stronger, more vibrant lawn. This is helpful especially when you have a lawn that sees heavy use by children, animals, or both, a lawn that was established as part of a newly built home, dries out easily, or was established by sod.

With spring firmly entrenched, April is the month that sees your lawn (and your garden) needing to be treated with Compost Tea (biscuits are optional), a liquid version of solid compost material. This tea contains soluble plant nutrients and a complex variety of microorganisms that are beneficial to your lawn. There are a number of ways to prepare compost tea, though for the most part, all teas begin with the mixing of compost in water. This can be applied as a soil drench, foliar spray or made a part of an irrigation system. Don’t forget to ask your lawn, “One lump of sugar or two?”

April brings more dethatching and more aerating. Every three years it is good to over seed your lawn after you de-thatch. Your lawn doesn’t like bald spots any more than you do. This is also the month when you should begin insect control and top dress your lawn with a good quality compost. Crane Flies and other grubby pests can be brought under control with Spinosad or even better, parasitic nematodes. If needed, pull any weeds that you see trying to wage a hostile takeover.

Once May arrives, it is time to sharpen your mower blade and raise it to an inch and a half to two inches for the best cut now that the grass is growing like, well, a weed. Your lawn will need another compost tea and more fertilizing. If moles and or gophers should dare to invade your lawn and leave telltale mounds here and there, be sure to humanely trap them. May is also when watering should begin and depending on rainfall, you lawn will need up to an inch a week.

As summer arrives, watering will become more critical for your lawn’s wellbeing in June. To keep your lawn happy, you should water two to three times a week while applying a half an inch to three quarters of an inch of h20 each time. If you failed to fertilize in May, do so now.

As it grows even hotter come July, watering is more important than ever. Once again, apply compost tea. If you feel in the mood, fix a glass of iced tea for yourself and enjoy a little relaxation.

August is the hottest month of the year, and your lawn will need up to an inch and a half a week of water. Any summer weeds should be pulled and shown who’s the boss.

When September brings with it the arrival of autumn, your lawn should be de-thatched and aerated if you did not do so in spring. Your lawn should also be fertilized later in the month one last time to help it make it through the winter. This is also when you should apply beneficial nematodes, tiny, usually microscopic roundworms that can be used to control caterpillars or grubs that might find your lawn a worthy feast. Nematodes move in moist soil and enter a host they find to be suitable. The nematodes, along with an associated bacterium, will then kill their host within a few days.

October is when you can finally stop watering and you also will need to lower your mower blade. If need be, do a trick your lawn will enjoy and treat it for crane fly larvae, and parasitic nematodes.

November is a time for giving thanks and who isn’t thankful when you only have to mow when necessary? If it is also necessary, lime your lawn and give it a compost tea application. Your lawn will give thanks right along with you.
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Once December arrives and the holidays are in full swing, your lawn will need no special care. Because of your hard work and dedication all the rest of the year, your lawn will be merry and bright. Your job is done for a while, and you are free to relax and enjoy yourself.