Mow no more than one third of the grass blade and do not mow below three inches for the maximum health of your lawn.
Water early in the day to assure the turf has sufficient time to dry. Infrequent long soaks are recommended over frequent short soaks as they help to promote strong grass roots.
Fertilize at least twice a year in the Spring and the Fall, but for maximum results fertilize on a regular schedule of March/ April, May/ June, July/ August, and September/ November.
Reseed or Overseed in the Spring or the Fall when there is adequate moisture and temperatures are above 65 degrees to promote germination. Lawns can be stressed by weather and other factors. Reseeding should be done every 3-4 years to maintain a beautiful lawn.
Choose a grass seed compatible for our area such as Kentucky Blue Grass and Perrenial Rye Grass - A mixture of both is ideal. Cut the lawn slightly lower than normal to aid in the grass seed reaching the soil. Use a starter fertilizer to help promote germination and keep seeds moist by watering twice a day for several weeks, until seedlings are established. Avoid weed control products for 4-6 weeks as they will also kill your new seedlings. Do not mow lawn until new grass has filled in.
Aerate your lawn once a year in the Spring or the Fall. Aeration perforates the soil, and any thatch above it, with small holes. This allows air, water, and fertilizer to get closer to the grass roots, enabling them to grow more deeply. Aerating also improves soil compaction and reduces the likelihood of thatch build up.
Mulch flower beds, ornamental shrubs, and trees to retain moisture, prevent weeds, and create a natural transition between your lawn with bark nuggets or ground wood chips- Or for a permanent mulch and erosion prevention use natural stone, river rock, or pebbles. Mulch should not exceed 3 inches in depth or your plants may "choke" - always check the depth of your current mulch when remulching to avoid this.
Trees should be fertilized in the fall. Home improvement stores carry a variety of combination fertilizer and insect control for trees. Maintaining the health and shape of the trees lining our sidewalks is the responsibility of each individual homeowner and is critical to both the safety of our community and the overall aesthetic of our homes. These trees should be mulched every year to prevent weeds and help retain moisture. Leave a one inch ring around the trunk of your tree free of mulch as this invites bark-eating insects to make themselves at home. “Lift” the canopies of trees using a bypass lopper, to no less than 6 feet, to allow walking room along our sidewalks and remove all new offshoots from the trunk of the tree, below its canopy, or growing from the ground at the base of the tree, with small pruning shears.
