Tips by Topic - Lawn CareFERTILIZING YOUR LAWN Regular fertilization throughout the year is necessary to maintain a healthy lawn. The number of applications of fertilizer needed will vary from location to location and will also depend on the type of grass and soil conditions. Fertilization throughout the year will help your lawn to replenish nutrients and color depleted during the winter, reduce stress caused by drought and heat and develop strong healthy grass roots that survive from year to year. SEEDING YOUR LAWN Re-seeding is a great way to promote a thicker lawn. The best time for this varies depending on your location, but generally occurs during the cooler spring and fall months. Lawn Doctor’s patented Power seeding system, Turf Tamer®, offered as a Custom Care Lawn Service, will increase turf density and improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn. LAWN AERATION Compaction is caused by everyday foot traffic, children playing in the yard, or furniture and other objects that remain on the lawn. Just like transplanting your favorite house plant as it grows, your lawn needs “breathing room” to grow. Aeration loosens compacted soil, increasing its ability to transfer air, water and nutrients to the root system. Fertilizer and water should be applied immediately afterward to maximize the conditions created by aeration. LAWN CHEMISTRY Understanding the pH level of your yard will help you create an environment most conducive to turf growth. Grass prefers slightly acidic soil, so you can either add lime to decrease the acid level or add sulfur to increase it. If you live in an area where it rains a lot, you might have to lime every year. If a lawn turns yellow, sometimes the culprit is lack of iron. A soil analysis by Your Local Lawn Doctor or agriculture extension service will determine what you need. THATCH A soft spongy lawn is usually a sign of thatch. Thatch is mostly a layer of plant stems and dead roots caused by improper lawn mowing, improper lawn watering or improper fertilization. A thin layer of thatch – no more than a half inch – actually helps prevent ground compaction and holds moisture in the soil. A thick layer of thatch is detrimental, harboring insects and disease and acts like a sheet of plastic that holds back water, nutrients and air – all the things grass roots need to stay healthy. If you already have thatch problems, call Lawn Doctor for assistance with aeration and pH level balancing. To avoid thatch buildup: o Mow on the high side and rake vigorously, but without tearing your lawn. o Water your lawn infrequently, but deeply – about an inch a week. For Additional Information, Contact Your Local Lawn Doctor: Contact us for your FREE Lawn Evaluation or call Your Local Lawn Doctor today at 1.877.LAWNDR1 (1.877.529.6371) to find out more.
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