FAQ

When is the best time to plant grass seed?

The optimal time to seed most cool season grasses like Tall Fescue is in the fall (August 15th – November 15th); however, the early fall season is the preferred time of year for professional turf managers to seed for several reasons:

The intense summer temperatures have passed.
There is less competition from annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass. Although crabgrass will germinate year-round, the approaching cold weather and frost will keep the weeds in check.
Soil temperatures are warm enough for continued growth of the grass.
In preparation for winter, grasses begin to store nutrients that will not only allow them to survive the cold winter months but enable them to develop a healthy root system to support new shoot growth once the temperatures resume in the spring.

When and how much should I fertilize my lawn?

You should ask yourself, “How much care do I wish to provide?” Most home lawns contain grasses such as Tall Fescue which require approximately 3-3.5 lbs. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. per year to maintain a healthy, dense lawn; therefore, lawns should be fertilized 4 times per year.

The early spring application may be combined with a pre-emergent crabgrass control if desired. The late spring application could be a weed and feed rather than straight fertilizer if necessary. If an application had to be omitted, the lawn would survive with 3 lbs. nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. per year and be applied as three fertilizer applications. (The late spring application could be omitted.)

How long will it take my grass to grow?

Tall Fescue should germinate within 7-14 days. All dates for germination are approximations. Optimum germination is affected by climatic factors such as ambient air temperatures, light conditions, soil temperatures and available water. The most common problem affecting germination is the lack of, or too much, available water.

How often should I water my lawn?

During Germination, (approx. 2 weeks) we recommend you water the lawn for 20 min every day. The top of the lawn should moist though out this period. After establishment, try to maintain a regular watering pattern taking into account the current weather patterns.

What if I just applied a weed and feed?

You need to refer to the product label as times can vary. Never aerate and seed right after an application of weed and feed. The chemicals are too strong for the seeds survival.

Why do you core aerate?

A core aeration produces holes and plugs that create a soil contact environment for the seed to germinate. This soil contact for the seed produces a higher germination rate. In addition, a core aeration reverses clay soil compaction and promotes deep healthy root growth.

When should I apply lime?

Lime can be applied at any time of year, although applications made in the fall or early winter are preferred. Lime moves downward through the soil very slowly. Using lime is the way to raise and correct the pH of an acidic soil. Soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 are optimum for most turf grasses. One or more applications of lime are usually applied annually to maintain healthy lawns. Lime is important to turf grass plants because it supplies the plant with essential nutrients, particularly calcium. It also helps the soil bacteria, which decompose organic material and break down the dead tissue in the thatch layer. After Aeration because it is slow to move.

When is the best time of day to water?

The best time of day to water your lawn is in the early morning. Moisture is able to reach the roots and yet the leaf surfaces are able to become dry. Watering at night or late in the evening creates a very humid environment and should be avoided. The excessive moisture, combined with high humid summer night temperatures, are conditions optimal for severe disease problems.

Watering during the heat of the day is not the most efficient time for the plant to be watered. Although it can cool the plant, it is not recommended because much of the water would be lost through evaporation before it has had a chance to be taken up by the grass plants.

Should I remove grass clippings when I mow?

Frequent mowing keeps the clippings small enough so that they do not need to be removed during the mowing process. Actually, allowing the clippings to remain on the lawn helps recycle nutrients back to the living grass plants. If the grass becomes quite long between mowings (possibly due to a prolonged wet spell), it is best to remove the clippings until a regular mowing practice can be resumed. Large clumps of grass clippings sitting on the lawn surface can kill the living grass underneath. If the clippings cannot be spread out and allowed to dry, they should be removed.

What are the recommend mowing heights for grass?

When should I mow my new lawn?

Newly planted grass is very delicate and easily damaged versus established grass in a mature lawn. Care will need to be taken when mowing a newly planted lawn. Remember the ground is softer from the more frequent watering and the newly planted grass roots are still very shallow. Additional care should be taken to avoid creating damaged areas caused by turning your lawn mower too sharply over newly planted grass.

Turning too sharply causes the wheels of the mower to pull the grass and will uproot newly planted grass. It is a good idea to turn your mower over hard surfaces when cutting, like a driveway or sidewalk. If you do not have good hard surfaces to turn your mower then make several passes around the perimeter of your lawn and then use these larger areas to turn your mower as you cut your lawn from side to side.

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