|
GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Lawn Care
Fall
Care for Lush Lawns
 Did
you know that fall is the most important time of the year
to ensure a robust, healthy lawn through the summer? To make
sure next year’s lawn is lush and gorgeous, fertilize
around Labor Day and then again around Thanksgiving with a
good fall/winter
lawn food such as Whitney Farms or Lilly Miller. The nutrients
in these slow-release fertilizers will stimulate root growth
through the winter and keep the grass strong. Spread dolomite
lime to keep the rains from making your soil acid. If necessary,
thatch and overseed. For a real treat, topdress with a thin
(1/4”) layer of screened compost.
Fall
is also the very best time to install new lawns. The first
step is soil preparation. Rototilling the soil to a depth
of 8-12” and mixing in 2-4” of good compost (Sky
recommends 1 cubic yard of Cedar Grove per 100 square feet)
will give your lawn the root space it needs. Next establish
your grade. Your lawn should slope very gently away from foundations
and hardscapes (patios, sidewalks, etc.). Generally a drop
of 1” per 100 feet is sufficient. Rake the entire area
smooth, then compact it with a water roller. Repeat until
the area is completely smooth. Now you are ready for seed
(consult a Sky professional for the best blend for your situation).
Spread the seed, dolomite lime, and either Whitney Farms Fall
Lawn Food or Lilly Miller Seed & Sod Starter over the
area and lightly rake. Very lightly cover the seed with peat
moss and roll it with an empty roller. Water the area thoroughly
but don’t allow puddles.
 Keep
the area consistently moist until the seeds germinate. It
is very important that the seed not dry out. If it does, germination
stops! You can start mowing when your lawn reaches about 3”
- cut it to 2 1/2”. Leave the clippings on the lawn.
Fertilize again about 8-10 weeks after you seed with Whitney
Farms Fall Lawn Food. This will give you a great lawn.
Oh,
I almost forgot the most important step - make sure the beverages
are cold BEFORE you start!
By Charlie Shull, WCN
Skylights Autumn 2004 Vol. 18, No. 3
Other
articles on lawn care
|
